Indian Abroad January 1-15, 2021 Vol 1 Issue 22 by IndianAbroad

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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Keeping India’s rich, vibrant culture alive in Australia and strengthening community ties - Page 5

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi - Page 7

Chariot festival of India celebrated in Perth - Page 8

OUTLOOK 2022: THE ROAD AHEAD FOR INDIA - Page 9

Stampede at India break Centurion barrier, Vaishno Devi temple win 1st test against SA kills 12, injures 14 Jammu, Jan 1: Twelve people were killed and 14 injured on Saturday in a stampede at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. Officials of the shrine said the stampede occurred when a large number of devotees entered the Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan without permission slips. “Large number of devotees had come to pay obeisance at the shrine to mark the new year. The stampede occurred around 2.45 a.m. today. “It took place outside the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine. Senior officials of the government and the shrine board are on the spot. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operation,” officials said. “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to JK LG Shri @manojsinha_ Ji, Ministers Shri @DrJitendraSingh Ji, @ nityanandraibjp Ji and took stock of the situation”, Modi said on his official Twitter handle.

The Prime Minister’s Office also announced an amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the dead from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The PMO said that the amount would be given to the families of those who lost their lives due to the stampede. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the PM’s Office added.

Centurion, Dec 30: India signed off 2021 with a 113-run win over South Africa in the first Test at SuperSport Park here on Thursday. The win is also Indias first-ever Test victory at the venue, which is largely considered to be a fortress for South Africa. With this win, India have also taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. It took only two overs after lunch for India to wrap a memorable win. Marco Jansen began the second session by taking two boundaries off Mohammed Shami. But on the fifth ball, Shami had the last laugh as he drew Jansen to defend on the front foot but nicked behind to keeper Rishabh Pant. Ravichandran Ashwin took the first wicket by a spinner in the match, offering Kagiso Rabada flight outside the off-stump. Rabada reached out for a drive but the outer edge flew to Shami at backward point. On the very next ball, Ashwin sealed India’s win in just 10 minutes of the second session as Lungi Ngidi inner-edged to Cheteshwar Pujara at backward short leg. Earlier, resuming from 94/4 under a clear bright sky, Bavuma and Dean Elgar struck crisply-timed boundaries to keep India frustrated. Shami dropped Elgar on 63 in a straightforward chance off his own

bowling, further extending the wait of a breakthrough for the to’rists’. Shami’s dropped chance cost India only 14 runs as the 36-run partnership was brought to an end by Jasprit Bumrah trapping Elgar plumb lbw. The left-handed batter shuffled in an attempt to flick but missed the in-ducker from Bumrah which crashed to his pads. He went for the review, but replays showed the ball hitting the stumps. Quinton de Kock smashed some boundaries while sharing a stand of 31 with Bavuma before chopping on to his stumps while trying to cut off Siraj. Shami struck in his second spell of the session, getting a length ball to straighten after pitching and

take a faint outer edge of Wiaan Mulder’s bat to Pant. Bavuma lost partners but continued to hit boundaries. Along with Jansen, Bavuma ensured that South Africa didn’t lose any more wickets before lunch. But on resumption after the break, it took just 12 deliveries for India to breach another fortress after Gabba in the beginning of the year despite a day washed out due to rain. Brief scores: India 327 and 174 beat South Africa 197 and 191 all out in 68 overs (Dean Elgar 77, Temba Bavuma 35 not out, Jasprit Bumrah 3/50, Mohammed Shami 3/63) by 113 runs.

India’s Omicron tally crosses 1,000Pakistani-origin Australian Senator slams PM Modi, exhibits hatred for the Hindu community mark, Maha tops with 450 cases Haridwar’s hidden gem, Pilibhit House - Page 22

Senator Mehreen Faruqi claimed that community members have discussed on Facebook and WhatsApp how PM Modi's ostensibly nationalistic agenda was being used against minority communities.

Mehreen Faruqi

Pushti, Viraha and Virodha Bhakti: Approaches to Worship Krishna - Page 23

Indian fashion is A-OK! - Page 27

Mehreen Faruqi, a Pakistani-origin senator, who is a Greens Party member in Australia made Hinduphobic statements in the Australian senate on December 1. "When Donald Trump was President of the United States, Prime Minister Scott Morrison was rightfully chastised for his cosy association with this white nationalist leader,

who was impeached twice and tried to win an election," she said during her speech. "Dangerous nationalism and authoritarianism with strong anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh attitudes has exploded in India under Modi," the senator from New South Wales (NSW) said, describing PM Modi as a "far-right leader of India." Continued on page 9

Covid: India’s vaccination coverage crosses 145cr mark New Delhi, Dec 31: India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage on Friday crossed the 145 crore mark. According to the Health Ministry data, over 52 lakh vaccine doses have been administered till Friday evening. Lauding the healthcare workers’ efforts, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the year 2021 is ending on a “great note”. “Ending the year on a great note by crossing the milestone of 145 crore Covid-19 vaccinations. My gratitude to our doctors, scientists, healthcare

& frontline workers for displaying immense grit, determination & resolve in the challenging 2021 year,” Mandaviya said in a tweet. As per the ministry data, the healthcare workers have got a total 1,03,87,889 first doses of vaccines and 97,13,091 as second doses of vaccines. The Front Line Workers have been administered a total 1,83,85,708 vaccines as the first dose and 1,68,98,803 vaccines as the second dose. Meanwhile, India continues to

report a surge in the daily Covid caseload as a total of 16,764 fresh Covid cases and 220 deaths were registered in a span of 24 hours on Friday. Besides, the Omicron infection tally has climbed to 1,270 across the nation. However, out of the total Omicron positive patients, 374 have been discharged from hospitals. So far, 23 states have reported Omicron infection, said the Health Ministry on Friday.

India and Australia set to ink interim trade deal before full FTA ‘Fantastically made movie’: Virat, Anushka heap praise on ‘83’ - Page 30

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On December 21, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the progress made in different rounds of talks between the two sides' chief negotiators on a

Free Trade Agreement (FTA). India and Australia have agreed to speed up negotiations in order to complete an interim trade agreement that will be followed by a larger free trade agreement. According to media reports, both

countries hoped to secure a free trade agreement, formally known as a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, by December 2022. However, by Christmas, an early-harvest pact was to be finalised. Continued on page 9

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New Delhi, Dec 31: With 309 new cases of highly transmissible Covid variant Omicron detected in the last 24 hours, India’s Omicron tally on Friday rose to 1,270 cases. Of total, 374 have been discharged. Among the 23 states and UTs that have reported the Omicron infection so far, Maharashtra tops the list with 450 cases of this variant. Of them, 125 patients have been discharged as per the health ministry data. Delhi has the second highest cases of Omicron infection at 320. However, 57 of them have been discharged from the hospital. Delhi is followed by Kerala with 109 Omicron cases. The Union health ministry on Friday morning said that the Omicron infection has so far spread into 23 states and UTs.

Among other states, Gujarat has so far reported 97 Omicron cases and Rajasthan has a total of 69 cases. In Telangana, 62 people have so far tested positive for Omicton while in Tamil Nadu the count stands at 46. Karnataka has logged 34 cases and Andhra Pradesh so far has 16 cases of this variant. Haryana and Odisha have 14 Omicron cases each while West Bengal has reported 11 cases so far.

I-T raids at cellphone manufacturing companies across India

New Delhi, Dec 31: The Income Tax Department (IT-D) on Friday carried out searches across India against the foreign-controlled cellphone manufacturing companies for their alleged involvement in tax evasion. “Certain foreign-controlled mobile communication and mobile handset manufacturing companies and their associated persons were

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raided by our team. The raids were conducted in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Delhi-NCR,” said an IT-D official. The Income Tax searches revealed that two major companies have made remittance in the nature of royalty, to and on behalf of its group companies located abroad, which aggregates to more than Rs 5,500 crore. It was found that these companies had not complied with the regulatory mandate prescribed under the Income Tax Act, for disclosure of transactions with associated enterprises.

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

PM wanted BJP-NCP tie-up for Maha govt, I rejected offer: Pawar Mumbai, Dec 30: A fresh political row erupted after Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was keen for an NCP-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government in Maharashtra after the October 2019 Assembly polls threw up a fractured verdict. Pawar referred to his meeting with the PM on November 20, 2019, at the release of a coffee table book, “Ashtavadhani” launched by The Indian Express Group’s ‘Loksatta’ Marathi daily, and released by Bharat Force MD Baba Kalyani, as part of the NCP supremo’s 81st birthday celebrations. At that time, Pawar had confirmed how Modi wanted NCP-BJP to “work together” and even offered a central Cabinet berth to his daughter and Baramati MP Supriya Sule. “There was a discussion about an alliance... I had told the PM right in his office that it was not possible... I would not like to keep them in the dark,” Pawar recalled the incident. NCP National Spokesperson and Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik endorsed the statement saying it happened in Parliament House and he was also present then. “Yes... There was an offer from the PM and we discussed it in our party and decided against it... Then Pawar Saheb conveyed it to the PM,” Malik said.

Pawar felt that the BJP offer may have come as there were frictions between the Congress-NCP at that time, but the Shiv Sena had come forward for the three-party alliance which was ultimately sworn-in as the Maha Vikas Aghadi government headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on November 28, 2019. On whether the NCP chieftain -- just three days after his meeting with PM -- had ‘sent’ his nephew Ajit Pawar to form the 80-hour long, two-legged government sworn-in early morning with BJP’s Devendra Fadnavis as the CM, Pawar quipped: “If that was so, then I would not have left the job incomplete!” Reacting, Sena MP Sanjay Raut said that there was “complete transparency” at that time when the three parties were finalising the nitty-gritties of the government formation with nail-biting political suspense. “We all were aware of who’s talking what and with whom... We even had knowledge of what was happening on the Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar front... Later, he and other MLAs returned to the fold,” said Raut with a sly glint. “The BJP had made this offer, but we know about it... In fact, they were desperate to come to power at all costs and ready to join hands with any party... But they did not succeed,” Raut added.

However, in a guarded response, Leader of Opposition (Council) Pravin Darekar said that certain things may have happened owing to political exigencies at that time, but wondered “why the issue was being raised now”. The BJP suffered one of its biggest political setbacks in November 2019 when it failed to take along Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray on the issue of power-sharing and virtually called him a ‘liar’ publicly. Simultaneously, there were backdoor efforts to woo Thackeray, even through middle-of-the-night phone calls from central BJP leaders, attempts to lure away Sena-NCP legislators, etc. Pawar recalled that Thackeray

changed his position as “the BJP did not honour what was agreed upon between them”, and finally the NCP decided to back the Sena chief as the CM. Giving full marks to Modi for putting in a lot of hard work to complete any task, attention to the administration, strongly implementing policies in his own style, Pawar said “if the problems of the masses are not solved, there will be no impact, which is where he lags”. Regarding the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Pawar predicted a ‘50-50’ chance and the manner in which the PM has announced many projects indicates the BJP could face a serious situation there.

India’s Omicron tally rises to 961, Delhi tops with 263 cases

New Delhi, Dec 30: With 180 new cases of highly transmissible Covid variant Omicron detected in the last 24 hours, India’s Omicron tally on Thursday rose to 961. Of these, 320 have been discharged after recovery. The national capital has the highest cases of Omicron infection at 263, followed by Maharashtra at 252 so far. The Union health ministry on Thursday morning said that the Omicron infection has so far spread into 22 states and union territories (UTs). Out of the total 263 Omicron cases detected in Delhi, 57 of them have been discharged. Gujarat with 97 Omicron cases is the third highest state in India. Among other states, Rajasthan has so far reported 69 Omicron cases and Kerala has a total of 65 cases. In Telangana, 62 people have so far tested positive for Omicton while in Tamil Nadu the count stands at 45.

Karnataka has logged 34 cases. However, the Omicron case count is in single digit for Madhya Pradesh and Odisha at 9 cases each while Uttarakhand has 4 cases, Chandigarh and Jammu and Kashmir has 3 cases each, Uttar Pradesh 2 cases; Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Manipur and Punjab has 1 case each. Delhi has also seen a major jump in daily Covid caseload as the infection rate has reached 1.29 per cent. Delhi on Wednesday reported 923 fresh Covid cases, the highest single-day rise after May 30 when the tally was also 946. The new cases have pushed the infection tally to 14,45,102 in the city. Delhi’s active Covid cases have also climbed to 2,191, the highest in the last six months. According to the Health Department, Delhi had recorded the highest (2,372) active Covid cases on June 19.

New Delhi, Dec 30: Days after forming a committee to review the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) in Nagaland, the Centre on Thursday extended it in the entire state till June 30 next year, declaring the entire state as ‘disturbed area’. According to the Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): “Whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that the entire area comprising the whole of the state of Nagaland is in such a disturbed and dangerous condition that use of armed forces in aid of Civil is necessary. “Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Power) Act, 1958 (No. 28 of 1958), the Central Government hereby declares that whole of the State of Nagaland to be ‘disturbed area’ for a period of six months with effect from 30th Decmber, 2021, for the purpose of the said Act,” the notification reads further. The AFSPA empowers the security forces to conduct operations and

arrest anyone without any prior warrant. It also gives immunity to the forces if they shoot someone dead. This comes amid the protests for the withdrawal of the AFSPA going on in several districts of Nagaland ever since an Army unit killed 14 civilians in Mon district earlier this month, mistaking them as insurgents. On December 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting to discuss the present scenario in Nagaland with the Chief Ministers of Nagaland, Assam and other officials of the states and the Ministry and decided to form a committee to look into the withdrawal of AFSPA in Nagaland and the committee was to submit its report in 45 days. The Nagaland Assembly has recently passed an unanimous resolution to remove this Act and it was expected that the Centre might limit the jurisdiction of the AFSPA to the border areas, viewing the huge resentment among the locals masses.

Community spread of Omicron has AFSPA extended in Nagaland for 6 begun in Delhi: Satyendar Jain months, declared ‘disturbed area’

New Delhi, Dec 30: Community spread of Covid-19 variant Omicron has begun in the national capital, State Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday. As many as 200 Covid-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals in Delhi, of which only 102 belong to the city, he said while addressing a press conference. “Of these, Omicron variant has been found in 46 per cent cases,” he said. Whether restrictions would be further strengthened or not will be decided in the next Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) meeting, he said, adding that the result of the restrictions or lockdown is seen after seven days of their imposition. “Over 15 lakh cases have been reported globally in a single day. However, the fact that the Omicron

variant is mild is a matter of huge relief,” he added, pointing out that despite 923 infection cases being reported in a single day in the national capital, “not even a single death was reported.” On Wednesday, the national capital reported 923 fresh Covid cases -- a 86 per cent jump in daily cases, the highest single-day rise after May 30 when the tally stood at 946. The new cases have pushed the infection tally to 14,45,102 in the city. The Covid infection in the city has crossed 1 per cent to stand at 1.29 per cent, highest in the last seven months. In the last 24 hours, India registered 13,154 new Covid-19 cases and 268 deaths, as per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Meanwhile, the Omicron infection

tally has climbed at 961 across the nation, of which 320 patients have been discharged from hospitals.

A total of 22 states have reported detecting the new variant, the Ministry confirmed.

Naga body seeks ‘immediate punishment’ in civilians killing case Kohima, Dec 29: An influential Naga body on Wednesday sought “immediate punishment” for the security personnel “involved in the incident of killing of 14 civilians” in Nagaland’s Mon district earlier this month. The Konyak Union, in a strongly worded statement, said the “Central government must immediately sanction order for prosecution of those Indian Army and officers involved in the killing of the 14 innocent Konyak youth”. “The Konyak CSO also warns any move to distort the truth shall be considered as an act against the Konyak. Hence, the onus lies on the Central government to prove whether the Konyaks are its citizens or not,” read the statement, signed by Konyak Union President S. Howing Konyak and other leaders. Konyaks are one of the prominent communities among the 16 tribes in Nagaland, where over 86 per cent of the two million population is from the tribal community. Expressing its dismay over the “snail-pace Indian judicial system”, the Konyak Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) warned that

all those agencies involved should not take advantage of the so-called existing laws as implied under the Indian judiciary system. Referring to the visit of the Indian Army inquiry team at Oting village on Wednesday, the statement said that Konyak CSOs have doubts on the credibility of the Indian Army enquiry team. “The Konyak CSOs are also not happy with the questions and interrogations made from those witnesses who were present at ground zero on December 4. Its credibility is being questioned upon,” said the statement, also signed by Konyak women wing president Ponglem Konyak, and Konyak student wing president Noklem Konyak. It said that Oting village has been declared as the “Genocide Site” during a meeting of the Konyak CSOs on Monday. “Moreover, the actual incident site should be manned by the state security forces. Hence, it has declared that no remains of the December 4 incident should be moved out from the original place where it still stands,” the statement said. Meanwhile, a defence statement

Ludhiana blast suspect Multani always planned unrest in India

said that the court of inquiry constituted by the Indian Army to investigate the Mon incident visited the site at Oting village on Wednesday. The inquiry team, headed by a senior rank Army officer, a Major General, inspected the site to understand the circumstances in which the incident could have happened. The team also took along the witnesses for better understanding of the situation and how events would have unfolded.

“Subsequently, the team was also present at Tizit Police Station of Mon district to meet the cross section of the society including the civilians, police personnel and doctors who treated injured for obtaining valuable information pertaining to the incident,” the defence statement said. As per the Indian Army, the court of inquiry is progressing expeditiously and all efforts are being made to conclude it at the earliest, the statement said.

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New Delhi, Dec 29: Jaswinder Singh Multani who has alleged links with Sikh For Justice (SFJ) was detained in Germany by the concerned authorities on the request of Indian agencies. The German authorities were given enough proof that Multani is wanted in India and is a part of larger conspiracy.

ISI is financially supporting him to recruit people in India.

Through diplomatic channel he was finally detained in Berlin. Now, there are possibilities that he will be brought to India to face trial.

The Indian intelligence agencies gathered information and found an international angle in the blast. They came to know that Gagandeep used to contact Multani frequently. This input was shared with concerned authorities in Berlin to nab Multani.

The intelligence agencies have claimed that Multani wanted to create anarchy like situation all over India. Earlier, many farmer leaders including Balbir Singh Rajewal was on his hit list. He wanted to get them killed so that it could lead to massacre across the country. As per Punjab Police dossier, he is an expert in radicalising youths against India. The intelligence agencies have claimed that Pakistan’s

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Multani is a suspect in Ludhiana District and Sessions Court blast case. He was reportedly in close touch with dismissed Punjab Police Constable Gagandeep Singh who planted the bomb and got killed as the bomb suddenly went off.

The intelligence agencies have claimed that Multani had been operating many anti-India operations including of terror. Two FIRs have been filed against Multani in Punjab. He has been accused of spreading terrorism in India.

LEAD STORIES

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

OUTLOOK 2022: THE ROAD AHEAD FOR INDIA Space industry hopes for exciting 2022 after a forgettable 2021 IANS

Chennai, Dec 24: The Indian space industry is eagerly looking forward to 2022 hoping that it could be an active year as compared to 2021 that is largely a forgettable one. Speeding up the space sector reforms with final policies and activating the regulator for the private players, finalising the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms and passing of the Space Activities Bill and others are the expectations of the industry players for 2022. The global space market is about $360 billion and is expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2040. However, India's share in the global pie is about two per cent, offering good potential for the new players. Till now, the Indian space sector was a monopoly of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)- the country's space agency - and private participation was in the form of component supplies to the former. "The realisation of the uncrewed rocket flight -- part of India's human space mission Gaganyaan -- will be a major boost, a source of inspiration in the hearts of the people.

There will be a lot of excitement with two uncrewed rocket launches," Dr Chaitanya Giri, Founder, DAWON Advisory & Intelligence told IANS. He added that the Rs 9,023 crore Gaganyaan has a lot of strategic importance for the country apart from being a scientific achievement mission. "The year 2022 will also see some progress in the Aditya-L1 mission to study the Sun. There are also two moon mission projects -- the country's own Chandrayaan-3 and the Indo-Japan moon mission (Lunar Polar Exploration Mission-LUPEX) and the Indo-US collaborative NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission," Giri said. The Chandrayaan-3 is in an advanced stage of realisation with all the systems in both Propulsion Module and Rover Module having been realised, integrated and tested. In the Lander Module, most of the systems have been realised and tests are underway. Integrated Sensors and Navigation performance tests on the Lander have been completed and other tests are in progress. "Chandrayaan-3 is targeted to be launched in the second quarter of financial year 2022 -2023," Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha. As regards the NISAR, it was earlier

said it will be put into orbit in 2022 by Indian rocket PSLV. "The global interest in the Venus planet is increasing and India may join the bandwagon. There is a growing community of planetary scientists in India," Giri remarked. The ISRO is also expected to launch a couple of earth observation and other satellites next year. While the above is about various satellite missions, at the ground level and part of the space sector reforms, the NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) in 2022 should decide on the industry player(s) to make the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) or the PSLV rockets. The NSIL had called for an Expression of Interest for production of PSLV rockets by an industry consortium. On the rocket side, the ISRO has to realise next year its small rocket with a long winding name Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) with a capacity to carry 500 kg satellites. The ISRO should also make progress in the construction of its second rocket port at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu. With the ISRO shifting focus to research and development (R&D), as part of the reform process, the committee that has been set up to recommend the methodology for right-sizing and optimal utilisation of the existing science

and technology (S&T) manpower is expected to submit its report. For the private sector start-ups making rockets and satellites too, next year is going to be crucial. Small rocket makers Skyroot Aerospace Private Ltd and Agnikul Cosmos are hoping to fly their vehicles by the end of 2022 while the satellite maker Syzygy Space Technologies Pvt Ltd, commonly known as Pixxel is expected to fly its satellite sometime next year. "The year 2022 is an important year as we bring everything together for a launch of Vikram-1 rocket and join the elite of the world in providing launch solutions," Pawan Kumar Chandana, CEO and Chief Technology Officer, Skyroot Aerospace, told IANS. As a part of opening up the space sector, the Indian government has constituted the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) as the sectoral regulator for the private players. The IN-SPACe will also enable usage of ISRO's facilities for them. There are over 30 requests from private companies for support from IN-SPACe for their space activities which are expected to be decided next year. Industry officials expect the INSPACe and the sectoral regulations to be as agile as the startups.

Congress to elect new President in 2022, chorus growing for Rahul IANS

New Delhi, Dec 24: The Congress is going to elect a new president in 2022 and the schedule for the next election is out. The Congress election committee is preparing for polls from the block level to the party president and the elections for the working committee, the CWC, which is the highest decision making body of the party. The Congress leaders are saying that Rahul Gandhi will be the next president of the party as the leaders are unanimous on the name. In the last working committee meeting all the leaders were unanimous on his name while some were quiet but did not oppose his candidature. The Congress Working Committee members have appealed many times to Rahul Gandhi to take over as the president of the party, but he has been reluctant. Senior Congress leader Ambika Soni said, "all the members were unanimous that Rahul Gandhi should take over as president of the Congress party." The

CWC has given the go ahead to the internal elections of the party. But nobody knows whether Rahul Gandhi is willing to take over as president as he has been refusing to take over after he resigned following the poll debacle in 2019. The G-23 has been critical of the party leadership for sitting idle and waiting for loss after loss and wanted efforts for the revival of the party. Interim president Sonia Gandhi responding to their calls said that, "The entire organisation wants a revival of the Congress. But this requires unity and keeping the party's interests paramount. Above all, it requires self-control and discipline. I am acutely conscious of the fact that I have been interim Congress President ever since the CWC asked me to return in this capacity in 2019." The CWC had approved the organisational elections and the schedule has been decided. The enrolment of members for organisational

elections on payment of Rs 5 each, started from November 1, 2021 and will end on March 31, 2022. The District Congress Committees will publish a preliminary list of members together with the list of eligible contestants for participation in the elections. This list will be published before April 15, 2022. The election of the president and Executive of the Primary Committees and Block Committees, and the election of the Block Presidents and Executive Committees and one member of the PCC by the Block Congress Committee will be held from April 16, 2022 to May 31, 2022. The election of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Executive Committee of the DCCs will be held from June 1, 2022 to July 20, 2022. The election of PCC President, Vice President, Treasurer and PCC Executive and AICC Members by the PCC general body will take place

from July 21, 2022 to August 20, 2022. The election of the AICC president will be held from August 21, 2022 to September 20, 2022. The election of CWC members and other bodies by AICC members during the preliminary session (date to be announced later) will preferably be held in September-October.

Tough road ahead for India's Crypto moment New Delhi, Dec 24: The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill 2021, seeking to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies in India, was set to be tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament that began on November 29. But the Bill did not make it to the table -- second time in a year -- as the chorus around the legality of digital coins and how to safeguard investors' money grew louder. Grave concerns have now been raised over the misuse of digital coins on the Dark Web for terror acts and drugs trafficking by militant organisations, and for money laundering and hawala-based transactions -- posing serious threat to national security and a big challenge to the security agencies in India. While the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wants a blanket ban on cryptocurrencies, the government remains in a confused state of mind. From "all windows on cryptocurrencies will not be closed" to "no

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proposal to recognise Bitcoin as currency", and "regulating cryptocurrency will have to be a collective effort", Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team is yet to make up their mind as to how to deal with this emerging situation, especially at a time when several countries like China, Bangladesh, Russia, Egypt, Morocco, Qatar, Turkey and Vietnam have banned or prohibited/ restricted cryptocurrencies. Will India finally see a fruitful Crypto Bill, after inserting global knowledge into its clauses as being sought by the government, next year? According to Subhash Chandra Garg, former Finance Secretary of India and a key figure behind drafting the original Bill, crypto businesses and assets (built on the Blockchain cryptography technology in decentralised databases), including stable-coin currencies, are expanding fast in the world. "India, though not quite deep into developing crypto platforms like

Ethereum or in creating crypto-businesses, has acquired a fancy for crypto-assets of different types. This fascination started with Bitcoin and has now expanded to many other crypto-assets (loosely referred to as crypto-currencies)," Garg told IANS. Garg sees this fascination continuing in 2022 as well. "Although, if there is a big crash in crypto-asset prices, which is inevitable sooner or later, Indian investors might bolt from crypto-stables, but only after their noses get bruised," he warned. Organisations globally were forecast to spend nearly $6.6 billion on Blockchain solutions this year, an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to 2020, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC). Blockchain spending will continue to see strong growth throughout the 2020-2024 forecast period with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48 per cent and

reaching nearly $19 billion in 2024. The deployment of Blockchain technology for cross-border settlement will drive significant cost savings for banks, rising from $301 million in 2021 to $10 billion in 2030 -- a whopping 3,300 per cent growth in cost savings, according to a report from Juniper Research. From an industry perspective, banking leads the way in Blockchain spending, followed by process manufacturing and discrete manufacturing and IT services and business services. Given its pool of tech talent and early adoption, India will have a crucial role to play in the Blockchain-based financial world order. "Blockchain-cryptography technology is brilliant and full of promise and the businesses and assets being built thereon are quite valuable. However, there is no good way at present to assess the true value of crypto-assets and businesses. Present prices reflect the euphoria of this potential," Garg noted.

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2022 T20 World Cup: Tricky yet golden chance for Team India to clinch title IANS

New Delhi, Dec 24: The T20 World Cup in 2022 gets underway in less than a year in Australia, and India will have a tricky yet golden chance to win the title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy and Rahul Dravid's coaching, giving the fans an opportunity to celebrate sometime big after eight long years. It was back in 2013 when the MS Dhoni-led Team India won the ICC Champions Trophy after beating hosts England in the final. Since then, the 'Men in Blue' have participated in many ICC events, but have failed to get the silverware. Fans have seen individual brilliance by the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Hardrik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and others in bilateral series, but somehow these ‘superstars' haven't done justice with their talent when the team required it the most, i.e., at mega ICC events. India entered the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai as one of the favourites, but failed to make the semifinals because of a combination of factors, including a flawed team, poor luck and many external factors as well. The last month of the year also saw many off-field controversies, which can definitely affect the team's dressing room environment, as well as the future of Indian cricket. However, as it is often said, 'let bygones be bygones', and Team India will exactly need to do that. Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid will have to make sure that the players focus on the bright future ahead, rather than living in the past. India have a very good record in T20 cricket in Australia and everyone, including the BCCI and fans, have huge expectations from the experienced duo of Dravid-Sharma to end the title drought next year. Here are a few things which will be crucial for India going into the 2022 T20 World Cup, to be played in October and November in Australia: Rohit Sharma - The Batter and the Captain Rohit has been one of the best white ball cricketers in the world in the past decade or so, and he will have to carry forward the golden run in the World Cup in Australia as well. Not only he needs to concentrate on his batting, but the skipper also needs to fix with whom he is going to team up at the top of the order. As of now, K.L. Rahul looks certain, but things change very quickly in Indian cricket, considering the talent pool the country has. The likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan and Prithvi Shaw have consistently done well and are waiting in the wings for the much-needed break. Sharma (34) has proven his mettle as an IPL captain by winning five titles with Mumbai Indians. He has also led India to series victories in Nidahas Trophy and Asia Cup when regular skipper Virat Kohli was on a break. However, this is going to be the biggest challenge for the experienced campaigner, as he has very less time to prepare a solid team while trying various things prior to the mega event. Virat Kohli 2.0 India Test skipper Kohli hasn't been at his absolute best with the bat in the last two years. But if India wants to lift the trophy in Australia, they

need their premier batter in red-hot form. Over the years, Kohli has taken the Aussie challenge very well and produced exceptional results for the team, whether its white ball or red ball cricket. The Australian pitches also go well with the batting style of Virat and Indian cricket fans will love to see him excel with the bat in the T20 World Cup next year. Clarity in Roles and Security Since the beginning of T20 cricket, it has seen players do well when they are given clear roles and are allowed to perform those roles - repeatedly - without the fear of failure. Nobody becomes an expert overnight. They perform the same task repeatedly across conditions and situations to master the art. Likewise, to believe that one can defend 10 runs from the last over or score 30 runs in the last two overs requires a player to have performed that role repeatedly. If a player has been selected to make the most of the Powerplay, or be a defensive bowler, or bowl yorker after yorker at the death, he needs to fail in that role for 10-odd matches before being axed. The duo of Dravid and Rohit needs to provide that space to the Indian players. The management needs to identify the right players and their back-ups, define the roles well, and stick to that plan till the end of the World Cup. Capitalising on IPL Performances The IPL is a great place for young cricketers to show their talent against quality opposition and under pressure. Over the years, the cash-rich league has produced some exceptional cricketers, but many of them have failed to deliver the goods at the international stage. India last won the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, one year before the start of the IPL. Somehow, the Indian think-tanks have not been able to capitalise on the brilliant performances by players in the IPL. And for that to change, the selection policy needs to alter. Numbers in the IPL should not be the sole criteria for selection to the national team. The roles they play, the conditions and the quality of opposition vary at different levels. If a player performs the same role for both his IPL team and the national team, his chances of success are much higher. And, it is also a good idea to give talented young cricketers a second year in the IPL to see how they cope against better plans by the opposition, which they will face in international cricket. Studying Playing Conditions in Advance Unlike Test series or ODI World Cups, the T20 World Cup does not offer one too many opportunities to come back after a loss. So, it would be a good idea from the Indian team management to send scouts and analysts to study the conditions in Australia during the Big Bash League and other international matches, and understand the specific skills required to succeed Down Under. This information gained could prove valuable in terms of team selection and preparation for the big tournament.

"Indian entrepreneurs might also be able to unscramble this technology by then and start building good crypto-Blockchain technology service businesses. That would be the beginning of true crypto adoption in the country," he added. Amid the growing adoption around Blockchain, the cryptocurrency exchanges have recently mushroomed with deep business interests in mind. According to experts, the

government must not only ensure that investors' money is safe, but also trace millions of dollars that have been routed via crypto exchanges and platforms that the relevant authorities have no clue about. A media report said in November that over Rs 4,000 crore of illegal transactions via cryptocurrency exchanges have been unearthed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the last one year.

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SHYAM DAS

INTERVIEW

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

With Mr Jim Varghese AM (right) and Ms Pinky Singh

Keeping India’s rich, vibrant culture alive in Australia and strengthening community ties A popular figure among the members of the Indian diaspora in Queensland and the current President of the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc. (FICQ), Dr Shyam Das personifies dedication, zeal and perseverance. His invaluable contributions and unceasing passion to keep the Indian community in Australia bound together by a common thread of rich and vibrant cultural practices deserve adulation. In an exclusive interview with Indian Abroad, Dr Shyam Das gives us an insight into his association with community work. Q-1. Could you briefly trace the journey of your life so far? How did you come to be associated with the FICQ? Ans- I started a beautiful chapter of my life with my wife in Australia in 1988. Our children, a girl and a boy, were born in Australia. We are fortunate and grateful to have two beautiful kids in our life. So far, our journey and ups and downs in our lives have taught us so many things. Every moment like a teacher, keeps on teaching us. Every difficulty in our life comes as an opportunity to learn something out of it. For example, this pandemic made us stronger, resilient, supportive, and united. Ever since I landed in Australia, I have participated in social activities through different social organizations in various capacities and supported various social events through my travel and tourism company, under Target Travel and Tours. I love our multicultural society and enjoy fostering the inner significance and unity in diversity. My association with the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland Inc. (FICQ) has been since its inception. A few community leaders with a positive vision and objectives to bring the Community and all the associations came together under one umbrella to foster a strong united community’s voice and act for the Community’s wellbeing. We started with a few organizations, and now we have around 45 organizations from across Queensland and more to join. I have been on the committee of FICQ quite a few times. Otherwise, I was always there involved with the team and supporting them. On 23rd February 2020, I got elected as the President of FICQ and very humbly accepted the members’ decision and was very thankful for their faith in me. I am very privileged and honoured by the opportunity to lead such a respected and dignified federation. I www.indianabroad.news

was also associated as the President of Global Organisations of People of Indian Origin Inc, Queensland Chapter, Bengali Society of Queensland Inc., and many more. At present, I am also heading the Brisbane Prestige Indian Lions Cub Inc. as its President; I am the Chairman of Power of Us Suicide Prevention Network Inc and the Director of both Ethnic Broadcasting Association of Queensland Ltd and Gandhi Salt March Ltd. Q-2. Do you think that organisations like FICQ are doing enough to represent the Indian community’s interests in Australia and other countries? What more can be done? Ans- FICQ came into existence with a great vision and objectives. It has come a long way and succeeded in forming the only peak umbrella body in Queensland for all the Indian Associations and the Indian diaspora and is fully committed to the community’s wellbeing and unity in diversity. We can be proud of our achievements through FICQ, and we have made our standing with the Governments of different levels, different Government Authorities, NGOs, and the corporate world. We are constantly in touch with the Indian High Commission in Canberra, liaising on various matters and having regular meetings with the visiting Indian dignitaries and senior civil servants to discuss ways to strengthen ties between the Indian diaspora in Australia and their country of origin. FICQ is such a platform, and it provides essential networking opportunities with senior ministers, elected members from local, state, and federal governments, senior executives of crucial governments departments, members of other communities, and leaders from the private and non-government sectors. We are committed to fostering the bilateral relationship between Australia and India as both countries share common values. India is no more an alternate partner but a strong partner. FICQ is a non-partisan platform. We encourage our member organisations to showcase their cultural heritage and tradition to the broader Community by participating in annual FICQ organized iconic events such as Diwali (Festival of Lights), a much awaited event in the multicultural calendar of Queensland; India - Australia Day on 26th January, celebrated with great zeal, narrating the history of both countries. FICQ always strives to benefit the Community and its member organizations like umbrella insurance, looks into opportunity

for different grants for their important events, and recommends member organisations to participate in Government policy debates and so forth. Q-3. As the current President of FICQ, what contributions are you making to the Indian diaspora in Australia? Ans- As the President of FICQ, besides my strong commitment to the wellbeing of the Community and the member organizations, I have taken new projects on board under different forums like Women Forum, Youth Forum, Positive Mental Health Forum, Elders, and aged care Forum, Community Sports Forum, International Students Forum, and Regional Liaison Forum. Our transcultural Community has issues; we need to look into it as a peak umbrella body. Due to this pandemic, many things could not happen in time. We also took another international event on board, the International Day of Yoga; the United Nations officially announced 21st June as the International Day of Yoga, promoting peace, harmony, tolerance, and respect for each other. Despite COVID 19, we hosted our regular events very successfully, like Diwali 2020/2021, India Australia Day 2021, and our new projects like International Day of Yoga, Seminars on different topics and, launching Diwali 2021 at the Parliament House. World Hindi Day and Community Sports are in the pipeline. We are feeling very proud that we will be celebrating the achievement of a significant milestone, the 25th Anniversary of FICQ, on 26th January, along with India Australia Day. Since 1997, we have come a long way. We will keep working on our vision and objectives, unity in diversity, fostering a strong united voice for the Community, and bilateral relationship between Australia and India. I am very thankful to my team for the support, enabling me to run the show so successfully and we are committed to take FICQ to the next level. Q-4. During the nationwide lockdown in 2020, lots of people were hard hit in Australia. Did FICQ play any role in providing much-needed aid to them? Ans- During this pandemic, the world is in turmoil. It has changed everyone’s lifestyle. Still, it is not over, but we are nearly there to say goodbye to this pandemic. When this pandemic caught the world off guard, there was panic everywhere.

In Australia, at our doorstep, countless international students, new migrants, visitors, and elders were in distress. FICQ accepted the challenge and took the lead to make sure that no one was left unnoticed, forming different forums to handle this pandemic. We constantly liaised with the Indian High Commission, different levels of Government, Universities, Education institutions, authorities concerned through online meetings, updating the situation, and campaigning for support and help for the distressed. Amazingly, the Community and the member organisations came together very strongly in support of the helpless. When India was going through a rough period due to the second phase of COVID 19 leading to a heartbreaking scenario all over India, FICQ, with the Community’s support and the member organisations started a fundraising drive. It campaigned for solidarity with the people of India, and it was a very kind gesture of the state government to contribute 2 million dollars for the victims in India. FICQ also raised a substantial amount for the victims of COVID 19 in India. Australian Indians are thankful to the Lord Mayor of Brisbane for his contribution of AUD 10, 000.00 for the cause. FICQ stands for unity in diversity and a strong united voice, and it is for the people, of the people, and by the people. We are committed to the Community’s welfare and developing a stable, harmonious multicultural society, the solution to every problem. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “There is no path to peace; peace is the path.” Q-5. What was the biggest turning point of your life?

At the Pongal Festival by Queensland Tamil Mandram at Robelle Domain

Dr Shyam Das (right) at the Celebratory Dinner of Dr Maha Sinnathamby and Prof Arun Sharma at Hotel Emporium

Ans- I am a firm believer in non-violence, peace, tolerance, and respect for each other. I also believe that the world is one family, and you are never alone. In our daily life, so many things happen; some come as a blessing in disguise as a turning point. I believe in fate and working hard for your mission and vision. It is always worth trying, and you should never give up till you reach your goal. Have faith in yourself! There are a few turning points in my life, but the tragic incident in 2017 has changed our lifestyle. Our perspective on life has changed. It is true if you live in the past it leads to depression, or in the future, it causes anxiety. Life is all about living a meaningful life and feeling the presence around you.

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Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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FOOD & CUISINE

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Indian Cooking with Lata Modi PANEER PARANTHA & MASALA CHAI PANEER PARATHA

MASALA CHAI

INGREDIENTS for 4-6 people Three cup aata (wholemeal flour ) Two cup soft ricotta cheese One big red onion (finely chopped) One inch piece ginger (washed and very fine chopped) Two fresh chillies very fine chopped (optional) Half cup fresh coriander chopped Salt to taste One tea spoon ajwain seeds (carom seeds) Two tea spoon cumin powder Oil for cooking parathas

METHOD Take a big mixing bowl Put aata, ricotta, onion, ginger chillies salt and cumin powder Mix with your hands, and by using little water at a time make a soft dough Cover it and put it aside for 10 minutes Now take a tawa (flat pan, used for making rotis) If you don’t have tawa, please use a normal frying pan Heat the frying pan Divide your dough into 12 round

balls (size of tennis ball) Now by using some flour, roll it into a pita bread-sized round shape (about 6 inch round) Cook it on both sides Use a little oil to make it crisp on each side Serve it with natural yoghurt And wash it down with a cup of masala chai (Punjabi style)

INGREDIENTS for 4 cup One inch piece of ginger 4 green cardamom Small piece cinnamon stick Two tea spoon fennel seeds One and a half cup milk .

Keep boiling Now add one and a half cup milk And bring it to another boil Once boiled, turn the heat off Cover and let it sit for a minute Now strain it in a tea pot and enjoy (you can add sugar or honey, if you like)

To let you have a handy tip, use carom seeds for health benefits. Carom seeds are supposed to be good for digestion, therefore adding these seeds in your daily food preparation can be good.

METHOD Take three cup water in a saucepan. Add the following spices: Peel and grate or pound ginger Peel cardamom or pound them too Add cinnamon and fennel seeds Bring to boil on a full heat Once it starts to boil, add either 4 tea bags or three tea spoon black tea leaves

MRS. LATA MODI

Festive recipes IANS

he season of joy and light has arrived, and the air is thick with festive cheer! This time of year, scrumptious baked goods, divine sweets, and hearty savoury dishes are the centre of every family gathering. So put on your chef hats and get ready to try these Quaker recipes which add love, flavour, and wholesome goodness: • Apple Cinnamon Oats Cake Recipe • Ingredients • Quaker Oats 1 cup • Skimmed milk 1 cup • Unsweetened apple sauce

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1/2 cup • Orange juice 2 tbsp • Brown sugar (optional) 2 tbsp • Grated apple 1 • Buckwheat flour 1 cup • Baking powder 1tsp • Baking soda 1/2 tsp • Cinnamon 1 tsp • Salt to taste Optional Instructions Pour 1 cup of Quaker Oats and soak in milk for 15 mins. Cook apples in water till soft.

This is such a refreshing cup of tea that once you drink it, you cannot go back to any other tea. So try and enjoy. I love drinking this chai every morning, therefore I have a little bottle of pre-made spice mixture for it. All you have to do is, grind cardamom, fennel seeds, cinnamon and store it. Always use fresh ginger though.

Also, if one has upset stomach, or tummy ache, you can take one tea spoon of carom seeds with a pinch of salt and gulp it down with water. It seems to settle the pain in stomach. These are the home remedies handed down from my mum and grandmother.

A one-stop shop in your Mumbai neighbourhood for culinary needs!

rban Platter, the one-stop shop for all gourmet and culinary needs in every cuisine and category, offers clients convenient options for culinary and luxury culinary needs, with an online retail presence in over 700 locations across India. They have opened their first store under the Urban Platter name and brand in Mumbai's Bandra neighbourhood. "The reason we are launching a retail store is that we want to provide the full experience of a physical store and allow people to

try and taste our products—to give them the touch and feel aspect," said Chirag Kenia, co-founder of Urban Platter. "While we launched as an e-commerce portal predominantly, we realised that providing people with all their needs under one roof is also an opportunity we want to provide to gourmet culinary food lovers, hence the idea of opening a store." he further adds. Bandra will be home to the firstof-its-kind store, which will house 1000 culinary products under one brand. All of the goods are vegan,

and most importantly, they will give you with a complete gastronomic experience. “Since a large chunk of the target audience resides in or shops in Bandra, which is also the heart of the city, it is definitely the best place to get an idea of customer requirements.” We will be showcasing about 900 to 1000 products, and we expect people to come and try our products. The goal is to build a strong brand presence and understand our consumer behaviour better,” said Kenia at the store launch.

Cool and Grind to a smooth puree with 2 TSP of orange juice. Add brown sugar and buckwheat flour to oats mixture. Add baking powder, Cinnamon and Baking Soda to oats mixture. Add one grated apple after squeezing out its juice. Add 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce. Mix everything together to form a smooth batter. Pour Batter into a greased pan. Decorate with finely sliced apples. Bake for 20-25 mins in a pre-heated oven at 200°C.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Seva Dharma Mission distributes free food in Brisbane

eva Dharma Mission distributed free food at Adra Community Centre car park in Woodridge, Brisbane on December 22, offering needy people like poor, disabled and low-income people some respite. Fresh fruits, vegetables, breads and normal essentials were distributed, including apples, bananas, zukini, semolina, sweet potato, avocado and variety of breads. Anyone wishing to volunteer or contribute can call Dada on 0422 823 341. The mission has also been serving lunch in Loganlea Community Centre every 2nd Saturday of the month at 11.45am.

2nd Atal Bihari Vajpayee Memorial lecture held

he Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organised the second Atal Bihari Vajpayee Lecture on 24 December 2021. The lecture was delivered by Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute of Australia. The Foreign Secretary presided over the event with the lecture being on “Australia, India and the Indo-Pacific: The need for strategic imagination”. This is the second edition of this lecture series, which was instituted in memory of former Indian Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Shri Vajpayee played an important role in shaping India’s Foreign Policy and this memorial lecture is a flagship event of MEA to recall his contributions. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on December 24 that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee introduced policy

corrections that reflected the end of the Cold War and the new global balance, and that the former Prime Minister sought a modus vivendi with China based as much on mutual respect as on mutual interest.

He also stated that the winds of change are most visible in the Indo-Pacific region, and that it is there that Vajpayee’s diplomatic innovation should be most aggressively deployed.

School holidays camp held in Queensland

T Councillor Angela Owen congratulates BSK on its success

ouncillor Angela Owens recently extended her best wishes and congratulations to all Brisbane Super Kings (BSK) cricket club players on a successful year. She commented, “As part of a young and developing club you are great junior ambassadors for our local community. Supporting young people in our local community to develop their skills in their chosen sport also enhances lifelong values of teamwork, sportsmanship, respect and self discipline. A special thanks to all of the BSK committee, coaches, managers and volunteers who have supported our cricketers - you do an amazing job.Thank you also to the businesses who sponsor the junior teams- we value your ongoing support.” Cricket is always meant to be a team game, but above all the bond it shares to bring community together

is always commendable. BSK has been playing a crucial role in this regard by organising cricketing events and tournaments from

time to time. By lauding them for their contribution to society, the Councillor exhibited BSK’s special place in Australian society.

Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Christmas carols

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is always commendable. BSK has been playing a crucial role in this regard by organising cricketing events and tournaments from

he Forest Lake state high school in High St. Forest Lake held a school holidays camp from 13th December to 16th December Steven Burton, a Level 3 coach, was the Head coach for the School Holidays volleyball Camp 2021. Steven has over 20 years experience coaching Queensland Junior Teams and has twice been an assistant coach with Australian Junior programs. He is also the presenter of Coaching and Refereeing courses for Queensland Volleyball. Steven has travelled extensively throughout Queensland’s present clinics in high schools and primary schools. All the participants in the Volleyball camp 2021 had a wonderful time

GOPIO Queensland organises Christmas fundraiser G OPIO Queensland organised a Christmas fundraiser luncheon on December 12th, 2021 at Saffron Indian Gourmet from 12 - 3 pm to raise money for victims of Domestic and Family Violence. Choice The Discount Store sponsored the luncheon while others who made the event a success were Devang Patel Photography, venue decorator Varsha Badhe. Among the invited guests were John-Paul Langbroek and Queensland Police Service representatives, Anya Gupta. A total sum of $3207 was raised for the victims of Domestic and Family Violence.

time to time. By lauding them for their contribution to society, the Councillor exhibited BSK’s special place in Australian society.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Pakistani-origin Australian Senator slams PM Modi, exhibits hatred for the Hindu community Continued from page 1 he implied that rising nationalism had immediate ramifications for the Indian diaspora in Australia, as bigotry and hatred endanger minorities and those who have been critical of Modi's agenda. On Facebook and WhatsApp, the Pakistani-origin senator claimed that community members had disclosed how PM Modi's ostensibly nationalistic agenda was being weaponized against minority groups, including labelling the target groups as terrorist sympathisers, rapists, criminals, and vermin. Mehreen Faruqi went on to say that PM Modi's nationalist ideology, as promoted on social media, was the driving force behind the attack on four Sikh men in Sydney's Harris Park. "The impact of this divisive politics on many members of our community is grave. It's a direct effect of Modi's nationalist politics being imported into Australia and the Australian government's failure to condemn it." She also urged fellow Senate members to reject Prime Minister Modi's ostensibly autocratic administration and his nationalist goal.

New Park for Windsor opens officially

rom December 20, 2021, Windsor families now have a new locale, with a formerly flood-prone site turning a new leaf as a 16,000 square metre park. This new Park is part of Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s vision to create new parkland across the City, the third park in as many years for the inner north. Councillor Andrew

Wines had advocated on behalf of the community while the Federal Government and MP Trevor Evans provided funding to Brisbane City Council to help deliver this fantastic playground. There was a fantastic turnout on December 19, 2021 at the opening of the new park in Windsor. This project saw the creation of a

new 7 Hectare green field for the community to enjoy, as well as a one-of-a-kind bespoke playground. This is one more example of how the Schrinner Council is committed to having the best possible parks for the community. The playground includes a dry creek bed for nature-based play and durable rubber under-surfacing that provides excellent fall protection. The equipment is specially made for the site to be flood resilient. There is also a 1.2m high playground fence running along the playground’s periphery. Over 1500 ground cover plants, 70 shrubs and 90 trees have been planted around the park.

India and Australia set to ink inIWIA organises Christmas lunch terim trade deal before full FTA Mehreen Faruqi

Continued from page 1

he Indian Women in Australia (IWIA) celebrated Christmas 2021 with great aplomb. On this festive occasion, the all-female organisation hosted a Christmas lunch. IWIA is a platform for women of Indian background. They organize Christmas lunch every year to connect, create networks and share experiences for empowering women in all areas of their lives. South Asian Community Link Group (SACLG) works closely with them and the representatives expressed great

pleasure in being a part of this great event. About 150 people from all walks of life and of all ages attended the above program, and the forum provided a great opportunity for interaction, networking and sharing experience. Women who had played significant roles and sponsors who supported the activities were recognized with certificates of appreciation. Five to seven year old children also showed their talents in quiz and dance activities in the event. SACLG admires the leadership of

The FTA is expected to encompass commodities, services, investments, government procurement, logistics, standards, and rules of origin, among other things, according to media reports. In FY21, merchandise commerce between the two nations totaled USD 12.3 billion, with India posting a USD 4.2 billion trade deficit. Mineral fuels, pharmaceuticals, organic compounds, and jewels and jewellery are among the most commonly exchanged things. Despite the fact that talks for a free trade agreement with Australia have been ongoing since 2011, the Indian sector has been cautious in expanding access to agricultural and dairy goods. Similarly, Australia was wary about liberalising its services

Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan

Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal

sector. The negotiations, however, have gathered traction in the last

two years.

JET Australia Foundation Perth celebrates Gita Jayanthi Reena A Rana for uniting the voices of all women in Victoria against domestic violence and challenges they face. SACLG is also planning to work with them in 2022 in a women empowerment project.

Chariot festival of India celebrated in Perth

ith the blessings of Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, JET Australia Foundation Perth Chapter celebrated Gita Jayanthi and recital of Srimad Bhagavad Gita (700 Slokas) for Universal Harmony on 19 December 2021 from 03:30pm to 07:00pm at Royal Park Hall, 180 Charles Street, West Perth, WA 6005.

atha-yatra, or the Festival of Chariots, is a joyous event celebrated for thousands of years in the Indian holy city of Jagannatha Puri, and more recently in cities around the world such as streets of London, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and on New York’s prestigious Fifth Avenue. Another name for Krishna, Jagannatha refers to the ecstatic form of the Lord with large eyes and rugged features, who is carried on a gigantic chariot during this festival and worshiped in an ancient temple at the center of Jagannath Puri. The Perth festival for the year 2021 had among its many attractions dance, parades around Forrest Place with an opportunity to also pull the Chariot, Kirtan Meditation, live music performances, Spiritual Books & Gift Shop, Henna Art, Face Painting and much more. The event which allowed free entry as well free of charge food and beverages to all people was attended by hordes of people with their family and friends.

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INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

3 kids die after taking 'cough syrup' at TN Police detain two Class 10 girl Delhi's mohalla clinic, 13 hospitalised students in murder of blackmailer IANS

report. In the letter, the DGHS has asked the Delhi government to issue a notice to all dispensaries and mohalla clinics "to not prescribe Dextromethorphan for children less than four years of age". The DGHS has also suggested "withdrawing the Dextromethorphan in larger public interest".

New Delhi, Dec 20: Three children are reported to have died after allegedly consuming a 'cough syrup' which was administered by a mohalla clinic run by the state government in the national capital, the Directorate of Health Services (DGHS) has mentioned in its enquiry report. A total 16 children were admitted to the Kalawati Saran Children hospital of which three died.

"16 cases of Dextromethorphan poisoning were reported in Kalawati Saran Children hospital, New Delhi, out of which three children have expired in the hospital. These children were prescribed the Dextromethorphan drug by Mohalla Clinics of the Delhi government and the drug is strictly not recommended for paediatric age children. The drug was manufactured by Omega Pharmaceuticals ...," said the enquiry

Talking to IANS, Dr Chandra Mohan Kumar, Additional Professor, Paediatrics, AIIMS Patna, said, "Even though the drug is not recommended to be used in children younger than five years, this is still being used and is known to have CNS side-effects like blurring of vision, drowsiness, restlessness and irritability, but has never been reported to have such catastrophic side-effects. There may be further investigation into the reports. However, it seems that there may be the cases of overdosing of drugs in the kids."

Gifts given to Jacqueline, Nora Fatehi by conman Sukesh likely to be seized by ED

New Delhi, Dec 22: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) will soon seize the gifts given to Bollywood actors Jacqueline Fernandez and Nora Fatehi by multimillionaire conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. ED sources said that as few pet animals were also gifted to the actress, in such cases, they attach the property of similar value. A highly placed source told IANS that Nora Fatehi told them during the questioning 'that the

officials were free to seize the BMW car gifted to her by Sukesh Chandrashekhar'. The sources also said that a similar case was with Jacqueline, and she too has told the same to the ED officials. "Jacqueline told us that she didn't know the background of Sukesh Chandrashekhar and she was ready to cooperate with us in the process of seizing the gifts given to her by Sukesh," said the source. This attachment processing will take

place under section 5 of the PMLA. The source confirmed to IANS that they were about to seize the gifts and other things given to Jacqueline and Nora but they had to file a charge sheet and due to this work got delayed. "We also arrested Pinky Irani. It kept us busy. Filing a charge sheet, recording statements of new arrests was a time consuming exercise. We had to arrest seven more persons in the case who are currently lodged in the Tihar Jail. Then we will have to record their testimonies too, so it can take some time," said the source. Both the actresses are as of now witnesses in the case and have recorded their testimonies in the 200 crore PMLA case. When asked why they were not made an accused in the case, the source said that both the actresses were not aware about the criminal background of Sukesh. "We have to see whether the person who receives gifts knows about the money source, if it is a part of proceeds of crime or not. We have found that Jacqueline and Nora were not aware about this," said the source.

Sony Pictures arm signs deal to merge Co with Zee Entertainment; new firm to be listed in India IANS

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Sony Pictures Networks India and Zee Entertainment Enterprises on Wednesday announced that they have signed a "definitive agreement" to merge ZEEL with SPNI and combine their linear networks, digital assets, production operations and programme libraries. SPNI is an indirect subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. After the closing of the deal, the new company will be publicly listed in India. The closing of the transaction is subject to certain customary closing

conditions, including regulatory, shareholder, and third- party approvals. "Under the terms of the definitive agreements, SPNI will have cash balance of $1.5 billion at closing, including through infusion by the current shareholders of SPNI and the promoters (founders) of ZEEL, to enable the combined company to drive sharper content creation across platforms, strengthen its footprint in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, bid for media rights in the fast-growing sports landscape and pursue other growth opportunities," a joint statement said.

"After the closing, SPE will indirectly hold a majority 50.86 per cent of the combined company, the promoters (founders) of ZEEL will hold 3.99 per cent, and the other ZEEL shareholders will hold a 45.15 per cent stake." Punit Goenka will lead the combined company as its Managing Director and CEO. The majority of the board of directors of the combined company will be nominated by the Sony Group and will include the current SPNI Managing Director and CEO N.P. Singh. On closing of the transaction, Singh will assume a "broader executive position" at SPE as Chairman, Sony Pictures India reporting to Ravi Ahuja, SPE's Chairman of Global Television Studios and SPE Corporate Development. "It is a significant milestone for all of us, as two leading media & entertainment companies join hands to drive the next era of entertainment filled with immense opportunities," Punit Goenka said in the statement.

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Chennai, Dec 21: The police have detained two Class 10 girls after the body of a 21-year-old college student, Premkumar was found buried in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district. The police are also looking for their accomplice, named Ashok and three of his associates. The girls were detained on Monday. Local people had informed the Tiruvallur police of the presence of bloodied teeth and hair of a man at the Eachangadu village in the district that led to the finding of the buried body. During investigation the police were able to get the mobile phone of the deceased, which helped the team

to reach the two Class 10 girls of Chengalpattu district. The girls on interrogation told the police that Premkumar was blackmailing them. They told the police that Premkumar had entered into a relationship with both of them, with none of the girls knowing about it. He had taken intimate photos of the girls and had threatened to upload them on social media. He had extorted Rs 50,000 each from the two girls. Police said the girls later came to know that Premkumar was in a relationship with both of them and they were unable to meet his demands for more money. The girls sought the help of Ashok, a person whom they befriended through a

social media platform, and informed him of the ordeal they were facing. On the advice of Ashok, the girls called Premkumar and lured him into coming to Sholavaram toll plaza on Friday evening and later kidnapped him. The girls had asked Ashok to seize the phone from Premkumar and to delete the photos, but he and his accomplices kidnapped the blackmailer. Police said that Ashok and his friends took Premkumar to the Eechangadu village where they murdered him and later buried the body. Police are on the lookout of Ashok and his associates.

Night temperatures rise as 'Chillai Kalan' starts in Kashmir IANS

Srinagar, Dec 21: The first of the 40-day long period of harsh winter cold, the 'Chillai Kalan' on Tuesday was marked by improvement in minimum temperature in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Sonam Lotus, director of Meteorological Department (MeT) said, "Significant Improvement in minimum temperature in both UTs due to an approaching feeble Western Disturbance (WD) "Gradual rise in minimum temperature is likely in the coming days." Srinagar had minus 2.8, Pahalgam minus 3.7 and Gulmarg minus 5.0 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperature. Drass town of Ladakh had minus 11.1, Leh minus 10.2 and Kargil minus 9.0 as the minimum. Jammu city had 5.6, Katra 6.0, Batote 4.3, Banihal 2.4 and Bhaderwah 2.6 as the minimum temperature. The 40-day long period of harsh winter, known locally as the 'Chillai Kalan', started on December 21. Frozen water pipes, hanging icicles

and bone chilling cold cautioned Kashmiris to brace for colder weather ahead. The 40-day long Chillai Kalan period

ends on January 31 each year which brings a lot of hardships for the people.

Unnao rape victim road accident: Sengar, five others discharged IANS

New Delhi, Dec 20: Expelled Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator Kuldeep Singh Sengar, along with five others, was on Monday discharged in the Unnao rape survivor's rape accident case after a Delhi court found no evidence against him. "No prima facie evidence on record to charge Kuldeep Singh Singer regarding a criminal conspiracy to extend threat to kill the victim or her members. No charges can be framed against him," said Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ravindra Kumar Pandey in the order. Apart from Sengar, his aides Gyanendra Singh, Komal Singh, Arun Singh, Rinku Singh, and Awdesh Singh were also discharged in the case. However, accused Ashish Kumar Pal, Vinod Mishra, Haripal Singh and Naveen Singh were charged under Sections 506(ii) of IPC read with 34

of IPC. The case pertains to an accident on July 28, 2019, when a truck had rammed into the vehicle in which the rape survivor, her lawyer, and two relatives were travelling to Rae Bareli. The rape survivor and the advocate sustained grievous injuries while the two others were killed on the spot. An FIR had been filed against Sengar and nine others in relation to the accident. Earlier, he had been convicted in the Unnao rape case, in December 2019 and was sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life, besides getting a fine of Rs 25 lakh. Sengar, a former BJP MLA from Unnao's Bangarmau seat, was accused of rape charges in a case that created a political storm in 2017. Also in March 2020, a special court sentenced Sengar, his brother Atul

Singh and five others to 10 years' imprisonment in two cases linked to the death of the Unnao rape survivor's father in 2018. Kuldeep Sengar was expelled from the BJP and disqualified as a member of the Assembly after the trial court convicted him.

IDP Education expands its reach to 44 offices in India with 4 new offices in Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Rajkot IANS

New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS): IDP Education, the global leader in international educational services, expands its reach to four new cities by launching full-fledged offices in Dehradun, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, and Rajkot. With this move, IDP is now present in 44 offices across India, taking the organization a step closer to its vision of providing study abroad assistance to more students, including those residing in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. IDP is known to provide end-to-end overseas education assistance customized to a students' education and career goals. Having placed over half a million students in the past 50 years, IDP's world-class counselling services are recommended by 9 out of 10 students. IDP has over 1300 international education specialists and partners with over 800 leading

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universities in Australia, the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. Speaking on occasion, Mr. Piyush Kumar, Regional Director (South Asia and Mauritius), IDP Education, said, "We are delighted to announce the opening of our four new physical offices in Dehradun, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar & Rajkot. As a global leader, our onus is to provide

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the best international education counselling experience across India. We are constantly working towards taking our expert guidance to every region to empower such students with the right resources and information. For us, our student's study abroad dream is of paramount importance, and we are fully committed to helping them realize their goals."

INDIA

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

CJI urges youth to give up substance PM reviews 'Made in India' low-cost landslide monitoring system at Mandi abuse, shun disillusionment IANS

Hyderabad, Dec 19: Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on Sunday urged the youth to disassociate themselves from substance abuse as he noted that a vibrant nation is built upon the health and energy of its youth. Addressing the 18th annual convocation of NALSAR University of Law here, he voiced concern over the growing number of youth falling prey to intoxicants. "I am alarmed at the reports of an increased number of youth falling prey to intoxicants. I would urge the youth of today, to disassociate themselves from substance abuse. Your mental and physical health is in your hands," he said. The CJI noted that students are known for their readiness to fight for all the right causes because their thoughts are pure and honest. He said they should be in the forefront to question injustice. "We need leaders for tomorrow to rise from these grounds." He pointed out that the Constitution of India was framed as a radical document which bridged the gap between the aspirations of the past and expectations of the future. "But it shall thrive only when the young citizens honour its principles with conviction. Ethos of the democratic republic of India is based on the people's commitment to the welfarist constitution of India.

This commitment must be nurtured at an early age by creating social consciousness and inculcating a culture of lawfulness." The CJI said a mark of a great lawyer is clarity of thoughts, command over the language and skills to communicate. A successful practitioner of law must also be well versed with literature, philosophy, history, economics and politics of the land. After all, the aim of law is to unravel the truth and to do justice, he said. "There is nothing more difficult in the world than to discover the truth. Because it cannot be discovered by merely looking at one dimension. It has many facets. It requires trained minds to analyse all aspects of it and reach a logical conclusion. The greatness of a lawyer or judge lies in their ability to discover the ultimate truth, and thus secure justice accordingly." Chief Justice Ramana said students cannot afford to be disillusioned. "It is imperative for you to be a part of current debates. Do not stop at just raising questions. Also ask yourself what the remedy can be. Being the future of the nation, you must have a clear vision. Being the guardians of freedom, justice, equality and ethics, you cannot allow narrow and partisan views to dominate the nation's thought," he said.

He noted that very few students who graduate from National Law Schools are interested in joining litigation or taking up public causes, let alone practice at the district level. "Further, it seems that there is a fascination to only practice before the Supreme Court and High Court while completely ignoring the importance of trial courts. To succeed at trial advocacy, one requires a separate skill-set, wherein the requirement of presence of mind and intellectual inputs is immense. Moreover, considering the highest pendency before the trial courts, there is both a demand and the need for specialised lawyers. I urge you all to consider gaining experience at trial court level before moving on to practice at higher forums such as High Courts and the Supreme Court." He told the graduates that it is only when they work at the grassroot level, can they understand the rigours of law on the common man. "But, let me caution you, the path will not be filled with roses. The courtrooms are nothing like ones you see in a movie or a moot court hall. It will be cramped, dingy and the judge may not even have a fan. You might feel like an alien in this system. I know it is not easy, but I want all of you to remember that determination and persistence are the two mantras for success." The CJI was all praise for Vice Chancellor Prof. Faizan Mustafa saying he is an energetic leader who has continued the legacy of this University and has ensured the continuation of the good reputation this University has across the globe. He noted that NALSAR is now known for its research centres and academic rigours which has produced many bright lawyers and academicians. He recalled this huge university started functioning from a small bungalow in Barkatpura and that he was part of a collective endeavour to set up a world class law university in Hyderabad along the lines of National Law School, Bangalore.

Air pollution in several parts of north, west India up during pandemic

New Delhi, Dec 27: Reduced economic activities during the pandemic-related lockdown had resulted in decrease of air pollution in most parts of India, but, contrary to the general trend, satellite observations show that parts of central-western India and north India showed an increase. Based on state of the art satellite observations, scientists have identified that regions in the central-western part of India and north India are prone to higher air pollution exposure and hence, are exposed to greater risk of respiratory problems. With multi-satellite remote sensing of air pollutants having evolved dramatically over the last decade, synergic measurements of satellite and in-situ observation provide a more comprehensive understanding of air pollution episodes. In 2020, a complete nationwide lockdown was imposed over India to impede the spread of coronavirus disease. This enormously disrupted the economy with a single positive side effect, a short-term improvement in the air www.indianabroad.news

quality near the surface. The satellite-based observation of toxic trace gases - ozone, NO2, and carbon monoxide - near the surface and in the free troposphere mostly showed reduction of the pollutants over India. "However, over some regions like western-central India, some parts of northern India, and remote Himalayas, an increase of ozone and other toxic gases was observed. This could have aggravated respiratory health risks around those regions during the pandemic," the scientists said. Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), utilised the EUMETSAT and NASA satellite observations for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020, and investigated the influence of significant cut off of anthropogenic activities on the changes in the vertical and columnar distribution of ozone, CO, and

NO2 during the lockdown period. Published in 'Environmental Science and Pollution Research', the study led by senior research fellow at ARIES, Nainital, Prajjwal Rawat along with his research supervisor Dr Manish Naja, showed that ozone, carbon monoxide, and NO2 showed an increase of about 15 per cent over the central-western part of India, a release from the Ministry said. According to the results, carbon monoxide showed a consistent increase (as high as 31 per cent) of concentration at higher heights during the lockdown. The longrange transport and downward transport from the stratosphere significantly increased ozone concentrations over north India during the lockdown, and remote regions like the Himalayas and coastal cities showed the bare minimum influence of lockdown in air quality, with a tendency to increase in criteria air pollutants. The ARIES team said that ozone production and loss are constrained through the complex photochemistry involving its precursor gases like NOx and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). A decrease in its precursor gases could also lead to enhancement of ozone, depending upon the chemical environment. Moreover, ozone concentrations are also altered via ambient meteorology and dynamics, including the downward transport of ozone-rich air from the stratosphere to the troposphere. According to the ARIES team, this study helped to identify the regions prone to higher air pollution exposure, hence can identify areas at a greater health risk. The team previously, with scientists from the ISRO, had showed INSAT3D as a valuable Indian geostationary satellite to study ozone pollutants over India; however, for other criteria air pollutants (i.e., NO2, SO2, CO, VOCs, etc.), India is lacking in space-based observations and need air quality monitoring indigenous satellite in orbit, the release added.

New Delhi/Mandi, Dec 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reviewed the Landslide Monitoring and Early Warning System developed by the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi during his visit to Himachal Pradesh. Developed by IIT Mandi's Associate Professor, School of Computing and Electrical Engineering, Dr Varun Dutt and Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Dr K.V. Uday, the device is a low-cost alternative to conventionally used monitoring systems and reduces landslides by predicting the soil movement in advance. "The Landslide Monitoring System provides soil movement alerts via hooters and blinkers installed on the road remotely via text message. Additionally, the system sends rainfall alerts in advance if more than 5 mm of rain is predicted. Landslides are predicted 10 minutes before they actually occur by monitoring changes in soil movement. The system also predicts extreme weather events with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning," said a release from IIT, Mandi. The prototypical device was first deployed in July-August 2017 at an active landslide area on the Gharpa hill near IIT Mandi's Kamand campus. The first field deployment was at Kotropi Landslide in 2018 with the support from the Mandi district administration. The device's utility was witnessed on July 27, 2018, when a tragedy was averted at Kotropi along the MandiJoginder Nagar national highway due to rains and a flash flood by the system. Minutes before the disaster, the system issued a warning prompting the police to stop road traffic before

a flash flood. The road was washed away due to the flash flood, but no one on the road was affected due to the timely warning, the release said. The selling price of the system with its sensors and alerting mechanism is about Rs 1 lakh, which is nearly 200 times lower than a conventional counterpart that runs into crores of rupees. Four patents have been filed on the developed system and it will be made commercially available via a faculty-led startup, Intiot Services Pvt Ltd, India. Until now, 18 systems have been deployed in Mandi district apart from

three systems in Balianala (Nainital district), Uttarakhand, three at Dharampur along the Kalka-Shimla track of the Indian Railways, and, three systems at Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh. Several other deployments are in the pipeline in several districts in Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra. Landslides are the third biggest natural disasters in the world, with India experiencing the biggest bulk of them - 15 per cent of India is prone to landslides. More than 5,000 people are buried alive every year globally.

Citing Covid risk, 80 doctors plead with TN govt to stop jallikattu IANS

Chennai, Dec 22: As many as 80 medical doctors from different parts of the country have appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to disallow jallikattu events, which are to be organised in January. The letter addressed to Chief Minister MK Stalin and the minister of health, medical education, and family welfare Ma Subramanian points out that the potentially super-spreader spectacles pose a grave health risk to the public. "Prohibiting non-essential activities such as jallikattu events, which lead to unnecessary mass gatherings, is essential to prevent the rapid spread of Covid-19 and to protect public health as well as to ease the pressure on health-care professionals," says Dr Deepshikha Chandravanshi, one of the doctors who signed the letter. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the plea comes in the backdrop of several countries around the world imposing new safety guidelines in response to rising COVID-19 cases and the threat of the Omicron variant. "Non-essential events such as jallikattu have no place in a country battling a deadly contagious virus," says PETA India CEO Manilal Valliyate. "PETA India is calling on

officials to heed the professional opinions of these medical doctors and call off jallikattu events to protect the bulls from cruelty and the public from a life-threatening disease." Since the Tamil Nadu government legalised jallikattu in 2017, at least 22 bulls and 69 humans have reportedly died, while more than 4,696 humans have been injured, a PETA India statement noted. The animals' rights organisation has documented extreme cruelty to bulls during these events, which are attended by up to thousands of people. Video footage of 2021 events show masses of unmasked people in close proximity, conditions ripe for the spread of Covid-19, particularly the easily transmissible Omicron

variant. PETA India claimed that it has extensive video footage which shows that during jallikattu, participants force terrified bulls into the arena by biting their tails, yanking their nose ropes, and jabbing them with weapons. The panicked bulls often slam into humans and barricades, often breaking their bones or dying, the statement observed. Jallikattu is organised every year in January, in Tamil Nadu, as a part of Pongal celebrations. In the traditional event, a bull is released, and people try to grab its hump on and hang as it attempts to escape. It was banned several times but is being organised after an ordinance was brought in 2017.

TN farmer's daughter receives Rs 3cr US scholarship for bachelors study NRI Version

Chennai, Dec 22: Swega Swaminathan from Kasipalayam village in Erode district, who is the daughter of a farmer has received a full scholarship of Rs 3 crore

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to pursue a bachelor's degree in Chicago University in the United States of America. Chicago University stands among the first ten ranked universities

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globally. Swega was trained and mentored by Dexterity global under its leadership development and carrier development programme, according to a statement from the organisation. Sharad Vivek Sagar, founder of Dexterity global in a tweet said: "This is huge. A 17-year-old Dexterity to College fellow from Erode in Tamil Nadu, the daughter of a small farmer, Swega has been accepted to the University of Chicago, one of the top 10 universities in the world on a full scholarship worth 3 crores. Sharad Sagar also said that Dexterity global is a not-for-profit, national organisation powering the next generation of leaders through educational opportunities and training.

AUSTRALIA

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Adani’s world’s biggest coal basin NSW reports record high Covid infections amid Omicron concern heads for export amid protests IANS

New Delhi, Dec 29: Just six weeks after the Glasgow climate summit (COP26), where the world agreed to phase down coal, Australia is opening the world’s biggest new coal basin, the Galilee Basin in Queensland. Coal giant Adani is commencing its first exports of coal from the Carmichael mine. Adani says the first coal for export is “being assembled” at its coal port in Bowen, the North Queensland Export Terminal. Adani plans for the mine to be Australia’s biggest, but has faced 10 years of opposition from Wangan and Jagalingou traditional owners and climate campaigners. Responding to the development, Joseph Sikulu, 350.org Pacific Coordinator, recently returned from COP26, says: “Just last month I was at the Glasgow climate summit when global governments pledged to phase down coal. Adani is doing the opposite of this agreement. “Adani and the governments who enabled them are throwing a wrecking ball at global efforts to protect the Pacific from the impacts of climate change. But we won’t let them, we stand in solidarity with the Wangan and Jagalingou people. “We are in the fight of our lives to stop dangerous climate change. We simply cannot afford for Adani’s mine to expand to 60 million tonnes per year. We will fight to keep every single tonne of coal in the ground where it belongs.” Julien Vincent, Executive Director of Market Forces said: “People power has kept tens of millions of tonnes

of Adani’s coal in the ground. We’ll keep fighting to prevent as much climate-wrecking coal from being mined and burned by Adani as we can. “At this point in the climate crisis, every tonne of coal counts if we are to avoid catastrophic climate impacts like mega fires and superstorms. Adani plans to pour fuel on the fire, continuing to build the Carmichael mine to be Australia’s biggest, as well as new coal mines and plants overseas. “We’re so close to denying Adani a critical source of finance it needs to be able to keep running the Carmichael mine: insurance. Over 100 companies have walked away from this disastrous project so far. If we keep pushing, we can stop it, permanently.” On opposition to Adani’s mine, Adrian Burragubba, Senior Elder

and spokesperson for the Nagana Yarrbayn, Wangan and Jagalingou Cultural Custodians, said: “Wangan and Jagalinagou people first said no to Adani’s mine in 2012, and we continue to say no. Adani has never had free prior and informed consent from the Wangan and Jagalingou people. “We will continue to resist Adani’s coal mine, practice our culture, and assert our human rights as the first nations people of this country. We are not going away: this is our land and we have human rights.” Wangan and Jagalingou people have been conducting the cultural ceremony Waddananggu for over 120 days on Wangan and Jagalingou country and Adani’s mining lease. “This Ceremony will continue and our Human Rights to practice ceremony on the country must be respected,” Burragubba added.

Hugh Jackman tests Covid positive, cancels performance in Broadway musical New York, Dec 29: Australian actor Hugh Jackman, who was set to star as Professor Harold Hill in the Meredith Willson musical, ‘The Music Man’, at the Winter Garden Theater, Broadway, New York City, wont be able to perform till January 6 because he has tested positive for coronavirus. The actor, according to ‘Variety’, took to his Twitter account and shared a video notifying his fans and associates about his health status. In the video, Jackman said: “I just wanted you to hear from me that I tested positive this morning for Covid. My symptoms are like a cold: I have a scratchy throat and a bit of a

runny nose, but I’m fine.” He added: “And I’m just going to do everything I can to get better, ASAP, and as soon as I’m cleared, I’ll be back on stage.” ‘The Music Man’ team, which had earlier been hit by the news of Jackman’s co-star, Sutton Foster, contracting Covid-19, announced that all performances would be cancelled up until Saturday, January 1. Increasingly, showbiz is becoming a victim of Covid-19, which is surging, especially with the Omicron variant causing breakthrough infections and contributing to a record number of cases in New York City.

Sydney, Dec 22: The state of New South Wales (NSW), as the epicenter of Australia's Covid-19 infections, reported a record high daily increase of cases on Wednesday. The state health department recorded 3,763 new Covid cases and two deaths in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. Tuesday, the highest daily increase since the pandemic outbreak started early last year. The hospitalisations for Covid also exceeded 300, with 40 people in intensive care, Xinhua news agency reported. According to the latest figure from NSW Health on Sunday, 313 Covid cases with the Omicron variant have been confirmed in the state since the first infection was detected in late November. Despite the continued sharp increase of Covid transmission, NSW is no longer practicing mask mandates, density and visitor limits in some indoor venues. Unvaccinated people were also allowed to enter non-essential venues. "Based on rising cases and Omicron (which we still need more data on), it would be preferable to keep indoor mask-wearing, and good contact tracing," epidemiologist Professor Alexandra Martiniuk from the University of Sydney told Xinhua. "When health is put as a priority,

a strong economy follows... Masks and QR code check-ins should not reduce economic gains rather should improve them." Martiniuk said the current Covid figures are rising fastest among the 20-year-olds, and this age group is not as likely as older age groups to be hospitalised with the virus, which means hospitalisations typically lag case growth. Responding to the growing calls of reinstating Covid restrictions, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet

acknowledged on Tuesday that the increase in cases would lead to more hospital admissions but said he is not committed to reintroducing compulsory masks in indoor settings. "We are treating the people of our state like adults. If we need to tailor our responses from time to time, we will." "When it comes to face masks, we recommend face masks in areas where you can't socially distance."

Researchers discover key driver of kidney disease IANS

Canberra, Dec 22: Australian researchers have discovered a genetic mutation that is a key driver of kidney disease. In a study published on Wednesday, researchers from several Australian institutions led by Australian National University (ANU) sequenced the genome of patients with autoimmune kidney disease and Indigenous Australians with high rates of kidney disease. They found that a mutation in the gene VANGL1 is a major risk factor in developing kidney disease, Xinhua news agency reported. Approximately 15 per cent of people have the mutation which, when coupled with an inflammatory disease, permits damage to the kidney. Simon Jiang, lead author of the study from ANU's College of Health and Medicine, said the finding could have major implications for Tiwi Islanders. The Tiwi Islands consist of two inhabited and nine uninhabited islands off Australia's north coast in the Timor Sea. The islands' Aboriginal population of

approximately 2,500 has the highest recorded rates of kidney disease in the world. "This discovery has big implications for Tiwi Islanders," Jiang said in a media release. "Their rates are four times the rates of other mainland Indigenous Australians and about 11 times that of non-Indigenous Australians,"

Jiang said, adding that this mutation is highly prevalent in Tiwi Islanders who have high rates of kidney disease. Figures from the Australian health authorities suggested that about one in 10 Australian adults show some signs of chronic kidney disease. There were 16,800 CKD-related deaths in Australia in 2018.

Canberra, Dec 30: Protesters on Thursday set fire to the Old Parliament House in Australia’s capital city of Canberra, which badly damaged the front entrance of the building. Firefighters were called to the site at about 11.30 a.m. (local time), reports Xinhua news agency. Video footage by local media showed protesters at the front of the building. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Old Parliament House, which now houses the Museum of Australian Democracy, was forced to close last week when protesters started a fire at the door, which was later believed to be a ceremonial blaze. The building was evacuated as a precaution and crews extinguished the blaze, said 7 News Australia. Social media footage showed police dragging protesters away from the front steps of the building, as well as

a large fire burning on the doors. ACT Policing confirmed Thursay’s incident as continuation of a series of recent protests. “Old Parliament House was evacuated earlier today after protesters started a fire at the front doors of the building - this was quickly extinguished by ACT Fire and

Rescue,” 7 News Australia quoted a spokesperson said. “There has been ongoing protest activity at the front of Old Parliament House throughout the past fortnight.” Reacting to the incident, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said it was “an absolute disgrace”.

Covid surge overwhelms Covid Protesters set fire to Old testing facilities in NSW Parliament House Sydney, Dec 29: Covid-19 testing facilities in Australia’s most populated state of New South Wales (NSW) are being overwhelmed due to the massive daily surge in case numbers during the year’s busiest holiday season. NSW reported a record-high 11,201 new cases on Wednesday and three deaths, with hospital admissions rising to 625, which is 68 more than Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency. The disease’s frenetic transmission rate is placing unprecedented pressure on the state’s health system, with people frequently queuing for over six hours to receive their PCR tests and then waiting for several days for results when time is of the essence. There were 157,758 tests in the last 24 hours, up from 93,581 the previous day. Adding to the PCR demand is that many Australians travel interstate during the Christmas and New Year season with an array of border controls placed to try and contain the disease. NSW leaders had in recent days strongly urged their northern neighbour, Queensland, to ease its PCR test entry requirements. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Tuesday said Queensland’s border policy had further strained his state’s struggling healthcare facilities because many of those in the seemingly endless queues were

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not ill but needed to test negative in order to travel north. “Between now and January 1, there can easily be another 100,000 to 150,000 tests purely and simply for people who want to holiday in Queensland,” Hazzard told reporters. The chaotic situation led to an overburdened pathology lab in Sydney incorrectly notifying about 1,400 people earlier this week that they had tested negative, in fact, their results had not yet been confirmed. On Tuesday afternoon, the laboratory issued a statement saying 486 had now been validated as Covid-19 positive. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Wednesday morning that the state would soon scrap its requirement for pre-arrival PCR tests. From January 1, travellers into Queensland from interstate hotspots can use a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) to satisfy border pass

requirements. Increasingly, the RAT is being seen as cheaper and faster, although not quite as accurate, alternative to PCR, the at-home tests could eventually reduce the long queues at NSW test centres. The NSW government announced on Tuesday that it had ordered 20 million RAT kits, which are due to arrive next month and be offered free to the public. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said such sensible measures would ultimately help the state “lead the nation out of the pandemic”. Perrottet urged people not to unnecessarily join the overstretched PCR queues. “If you are not unwell and have not been advised to receive a PCR test, then you should not be lining up for one,” he said.

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WORLD

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Boeing, Airbus warn US that 5G rollout will negatively impact aircraft safety IANS

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): Bosses from the world's two biggest plane makers have called on the US government to delay the rollout of new 5G phone services, BBC reported. In a letter, top executives at Boeing and Airbus warned that the technology could have "an enormous negative impact on the aviation industry". Concerns have previously been raised that C-Band spectrum 5G

wireless could interfere with aircraft electronics, the report said. US telecoms giants AT&T and Verizon are due to deploy 5G services on January 5. "5G interference could adversely affect the ability of aircraft to safely operate," said the bosses of Boeing and Airbus Americas, Dave Calhoun and Jeffrey Knittel, in a joint letter to US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

The letter cited research by trade group Airlines for America which found that if the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 5G rules had been in effect in 2019, about 345,000 passenger flights and 5,400 cargo flights would have faced delays, diversions or cancellations. The aviation industry and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have raised concerns about potential interference of 5G with sensitive aircraft equipment like radio altitude meters, the report added. "Airbus and Boeing have been working with other aviation industry stakeholders in the US to understand potential 5G interference with radio altimeters," Airbus said in a statement. This month, the FAA issued airworthiness directives warning 5G interference could result in flight diversions, saying it would provide more information before the January 5 rollout date.

Air India wins legal battle in English Court of Appeal

Daily Pioneer

New Delhi, Dec 23: National carrier Air India has won a significant legal battle in a case of a passenger dispute in the UK. Notably, a bench of the English Court of Appeal, has passed an order in favour of the airline. Initially, a District Judge had passed a judgment against the airline in a dispute centered on the applicability of EU compensation regulations for

a single booking, where only one leg of the booking - the only one within EU or UK jurisdiction - was delayed. In this case, the third leg of the passenger's flight departed from Heathrow Airport late, resulting in delays in her final arrival at her destination. The Court of Appeal after a full hearing held in favour of Air India that previous European Court of Justice

case law reaffirmed the 'single-unit' principle for a multiple-leg journey made under the same booking. Air India successfully argued that there was no reason why this principle should not be applied to this case, in circumstances where the Claimant's journey originated from a non-UK or non-EU destination. "What is significant about this decision is that this is one of the first cases where the Court of Appeal has been asked to determine EU law post-Brexit," said Daniel Powell of Zaiwalla & Co, Air India's solicitors. "The intention of ECJ judges when making their decisions was discussed at the hearing, and the Court of Appeal chose to not interpret these principles differently in the post-Brexit era." "Had the Claimant succeeded in their appeal, airlines could have expected myriad further claims against them, with a potentially substantial economic impact being felt across an industry already reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic."

Pak rupee being circulated in many Afghan provinces Kabul, Dec 21: Amid the collapse of Afghanistan's banking sector, coupled with Taliban-imposed restrictions on money exchange systems, local traders are now opting to use of Pakistani rupee as mode of financial transactions for payment in many provinces of the country. "Due to fluctuations in the US dollar and Afghan currency rates, everyone here is using the Pakistani rupee," said a local trader. The circulation of Pakistani rupee among Afghan traders is being witnessed for the past one month. However, the Pakistani rupee is not being openly accepted for doing trade amid fears of restrictions imposed by the Taliban regime, who have allowed use of Afghani currency for all operations in the country. "Small traders and locals in Afghanistan are using Pakistani rupees for daily transactions and purchases of food items. Provinces adjacent to Pakistan prefer the rupee instead of Afghani because they will face a 10 per cent loss in converting the rupee to Afghan currency," said another trader. The use of Pakistani rupee saw a major decline as the past governments in Afghanistan opposed to its use. However, under the Taliban rule and the deteriorating Afghan

currency value, the Pakistani rupee is fast becoming the prime currency for trade, especially by traders who do business along the PakistanAfghanistan border. "We also need Pakistani rupees to import goods from Pakistan as both Pakistani and Afghani traders prefer to use the Pakistani currency for trade due to the uncertain situation in Afghanistan," said Hameed Khan, a trader. The Taliban government has been working hard to reactivate its banking system, calling on the US to unfreeze the country's central assets worth $9 billion, placed in the US. The Taliban regime has also been

calling on the global community to help the country stand back on its feet through economic bailout, humanitarian aids and facilitations. "A joint commission was set up by various civilian and military agencies to monitor shopkeepers and the general public who were carrying out transactions in Pakistani currency," said Hameed khan. "If the Afghan government fails to reactivate the banking system for traders and the general public, it will not only increase the use of rupee but also affect trader's ability to import goods."

Kim Jong-un is 3rd most searched politician online

The Sentimental Assam

Seoul, Dec 21: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ranked the third most searched politician by internet users worldwide this year, data showed on Tuesday. Online searches for Kim totaled a monthly average of 1.9 million, behind US President Joe Biden, who topped the list with 7 million searches, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson with 2 million, according to German data analytics firm Statista. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel ranked fourth with 1.4 million searches, reports Yonhap News Agency. The most searched keyword related to the North Korean leader this year was "weight loss", separate analysis by Google Trends found. In June, the 37-year-old Kim appeared at a politburo session

appearing to have lost a significant amount of weight, raising speculation about his health and sparking keen public interest. South Korea's state intelligence

agency told lawmakers in October that Kim has lost around 20 kg from a weight of about 140 kg but appears to have no major health problem.

Pak's 'khuda hafiz' if Imran govt not sent packing: Shehbaz Sharif 30 killed in B'desh ferry blaze

Dunya News

New Delhi, Dec 24: Shehbaz Sharif, President of the opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), foresaw the country's downfall if the incumbent Imran Khan-led government was not sent packing, Geo News reported. "God forbid, if this government

is not sent packing, we might see Pakistan's 'khuda hafiz' — so gear up," Geo News quoted Sharif as saying on Thursday while addressing a party meet in Lahore. The PML-N President said the time has come to end this government "which was formed as a result of

rigging", as he claimed that Quaid-eAzam "must be turning in his grave", the report said. Slamming the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its policies, he said: "I had revealed this three and a half years ago that a NAB-Niazi nexus exists. They have mortgaged the country to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)." Taking a jibe at Khan, Sharif said if the Prime Minister likes unveiling projects "so much", he should have informed him, as he would award him a plaque for "unveiling so many plaques". For his part, PML-N leader and former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said he predicts Khan's "political death" in the near future. Rafique called on PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party to join hands and initiate a political struggle, as he claimed that Khan was not a part of the political fraternity, the report said.

The New York Times

Dhaka, Dec 24: At 30 people were killed and over 200 others injured after a massive blaze ripped through a passenger ferry in Bangladesh, officials said. The officials said that 70 passengers on board the ill-fated Bargunabound MV Abhijan-10 have been rescued so far, while many others remain missing. According to the police and fire personnel, the blaze broke out at around 3 a.m. when the ferry reached the Dapdapia area on the Sugandha River in Jhalakathi. Confirming the news, Kamal Hossain Bhuiyan, deputy director of Barisal Fire Service, said that a total of 30 dead bodies recovered and five units were working to rescue the fire victims. Rescue operations are being hampered due to heavy fog, the fire service official said.

Bhuiyan added that authorities suspect the fire may have started in the ferry's engine room. Md Johar Ali, district commissioner (DC) of Jhalakathi said that the 70 rescued people have been sent to nearby hospitals.

Many passengers jumped into the river in a desperate bid to save their lives as the fire raged for about three hours, said the bdnews24 report, adding that the ferry was was packed with passengers when the accident occurred.

Omicron to ‘soon’ replace Delta as dominant global strain New Delhi, Dec 30: The fast-spreading Omicron variant is likely to soon replace the Delta strain globally, experts in Singapore have warned, as countries after countries have reported a record surge in Covid cases. The warning comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) has cautioned that the more transmissible Omicron together with the currently circulating Delta variants might lead to “a tsunami of cases,” putting immense pressure on national health systems. “From current data, it looks like

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Delta will go down over time relative to Omicron,” Dr Sebastian MaurerStroh, executive director of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research Bioinformatics Institute in Singapore, told The Straits Times on Wednesday. Professor Dale Fisher, a senior consultant at the National University Hospital’s Division of Infectious Diseases, said that Omicron is already dominant in Australia, India, Russia, South Africa and the UK. “We are seeing a global transition from Delta to Omicron because with a greater transmissibility, the

virus is fitter and has a reproductive advantage,” Fisher was quoted as saying. In India, the Omicron infection tally has climbed to 961, of which 320 patients have been discharged from hospitals. A Covid-19 tracker, developed by UK’s University of Cambridge, has predicted that India may soon see an intense but short-lived virus wave “within days”, even as the highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid is spreading like wildfire in the country. Britain reported a new record

increase of 183,037 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 12,559,926, according to official figures. The total number of cases and deaths in the UK stands at 12,559,926 and 148,089 respectively, according to government data. The US, which has recorded more than 54 million cases to date, reported over 5,12,000 cases on Tuesday, the highest single-day spike since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

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Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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POLITICS

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Sachin Pilot winning hearts with his song 'Jeena Yahan, Marna Yahan' IANS

Jaipur, Dec 21: After skipping the state government's three-year anniversary programmes being held at the Rajasthan Chief Minister's residence (CMR), former deputy CM Sachin Pilot's video from a private event is going viral where he is seen singing a Bollywood song -- 'Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan'. Pilot shared this video on Tuesday which drew over 7,000 likes in just 3 hours. Around 1.6k retweets can be seen on the video. Besides Pilot, the video has been shared by thousands of his fans

while the others have been retweeting it on the social media. Pilot sang this song from a Raj Kapoor's movie -- 'Mera Naam Joker' at an event organised by Rotary Club in Albert Hall. Surprisingly, the video came out when Pilot's absence from the anniversary celebrations at CMR is conspicuous and the talk of the town as many party workers were left surprised. The Pilot camp confirmed to IANS that he was not invited to the event at the CMR. However, a day before the Jaipur

rally of the Congress on December 12, Pilot was seen attending dinner at the CMR. Earlier, he also had a closed door meeting with CM Ashok Gehlot which left many political pundits confused as what transpired inside never came out. Pilot's fans cheered when Rahul Gandhi took his name from the dias during the Jaipur rally breaking the protocol as the others named by him were the CMs and general secretaries of the party. "CM Gehlot did not take Pilot's name from the dias during the rally, which was a sad moment for us, but Rahul Gandhi made up for our loss," said a Pilot loyalist. In fact, while the twitter hashtag 'teensaalrajasthankhushal' was trending on top in the first half of December 18, 'Rajasthan Mange Pilot' started trending in the second half on twitter which made it clear that despite showing a united face, the face-off between the two leaders has not yet ended. Meanwhile, Pilot's video singing this melodious song from Raj Kapoor movie is giving a good time to his fans.

Misuse of Ram Mandir Trust money, SC should conduct probe: Priyanka IANS

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) The Congress on Thursday alleged a scam in the Ayodhya land deals and demanded that the Supreme Court order a judicial inquiry to probe the acquiring and selling of lands for the Ram Mandir Trust. Addressing a press conference here, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Bhagwan Ram is a symbol of honesty and the BJP-backed leaders and officers have profited from the trust meant for the temple

construction." She said, "The temple is being built following court orders and the enquiry should be done by the court only as district level officers can't investigate against the leaders." The Congress alleged that in the sale deeds the signatures of Ram Mandir Trust members are on the papers. She alleged that Champat Rai, the Trust secretary knows about the scam, and Anil Mishra, a member of the RSS and a

member in the Trust and Rishikesh Upadhyay Mayor of Ayodhya are witnesses in the sale deeds." "Money of the Trust is being misused to benefit leaders and officials," she said. She said, "Land value of Rs 2 crore was sold to the Trust for Rs 26.5 crore in 2017." Giving details about the deal, she said, "2.33 hectare land was purchased for Rs 2 crore and this was waqf land. An FIR was also registered in this connection in 2018, she said. "On March 18, 2021 at 6.51 p.m. 10.37 sq yard was sold to the Trust for Rs 8 crore through its secretary Champat Rai. The remaining 12,000 sq m was sold at 7.10 p.m. for Rs 2 crore and the same land was sold to the Trust after 5 minutes for Rs 18.5 crore. In all the three sale deeds, Anil Mishra and Rishikesh Upadhyay, who is the Ayodhya Mayor, were witnesses." When asked that the BJP has been saying that the Congress was putting hurdles in the Ram Mandir construction, Priyanka said, "We will put hurdles in the BJP's loot of the Trust money."

Anti-conversion Bill passed in K'taka Assembly amid Oppn uproar

IANS

Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 23 (IANS) The Karnataka Assembly on Thursday passed the Anticonversion Bill amid uproar by the Opposition during the ongoing Winter Session of the Asembly. The day was reserved for discussion on the Bill. "The Anti-conversion Bill is Constitutional and pro-people," Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said while speaking to mediapersons at the Suvarna Soudha here. "Instead of presenting their views on the Bill, the Opposition leaders chose to make political speeches. In fact, the preparations for bringing the Bill was made during the earlier Congress regime itself. Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself had agreed to present the Bill before the state cabinet after it was scrutinised by the law department. Doesn't it amount to his consent to the Bill," Bommai asked. "The Bill is especially pro-SC, ST and poor segments of the society. www.indianabroad.news

It would help in the protection of all the communities and uphold their dignity. The state government is very clear in implementing the Bill. The government is opposed to conversion by exploiting poverty and offering allurements like employment and education," Bommai said. The Congress leaders are opposing the same Bill now in the Assembly, which shows the dual policy of the party, Bommai said. "The draft Bill was not prepared by former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. He had just referred a request in this regard to the Law Commission. It was the Congress government which prepared the draft Bill after getting a report from the Law Commission. Congress leaders who supported the draft Bill then are now opposing it only because of vote bank politics," Bommai said. However, the Congress party said that it would rollback the Bill when

it comes to power. The Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, popularly known as Anti-conversion Bill proposes protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. "No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person from one religion to another by use or practice of force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any other means or promise of marriage, nor shall any person abet or conspire such conversion," the Bill says. According to new law, any converted person, his parents, brother, sister or any other person who is related to him by blood, marriage or adoption or in any form associated or colleague may lodge a complaint of such conversion which contravenes the provisions, the offence is made to be non-bailable and cognizable. The bill proposes declaration before conversion of religion and also pre-report about conversion. The declaration of post conversion of religion is also proposed. If any institution violates the Act, imprisonment of up to three to five years with a fine of Rs 25,000 is proposed. If the victim is a minor, the imprisonment is extended up to 10 years.

KMC poll results: Trinamool registers landslide victory IANS

Kolkata, Dec 21: After registering an unprecedented victory winning 133 of the 144 seats in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation election on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee congratulated the people saying that the city will only show way to the people of the country. The Trinamool Congress registered a historic victory in the KMC election winning 134 of the 144 seats. In 2015, it had won 113 seats which was, so far, the highest in recent times and this year it has broken its previous records turning the Opposition into minnows. All the 16 boroughs have been under the control of Trinamool Congress. BJP that - even before the Assembly polls - was aggressive enough to challenge the supremacy of Trinamool Congress has been successful in bagging only three seats followed by congress and Left front that managed to get two seats each. The independent candidates got three seats. In 2015, the ruling Trinamool Congress had won 113 seats - the highest margin then, while BJP had 7 seats and Congress and Left Front had 5 and 15 seats respectively. Three seats were won by the Independent candidates. This year, the ruling party improved its tally further. Interacting with media after the victory, the chief minister said: "This is a victory of the people who have given their mandate in favour of development. This is a victory of development that Trinamool Congress has been continuously doing since its inception to power in

2011". "People have come out wholeheartedly to vote. This is a victory for democracy. This will help to keep a low profile and humbly work for the people of the city as well as of the state," the chief minister added. Speaking on a larger perspective, the chief minister stated: "This victory is very important on national level also because all the national parties like BJP, Congress and Left Front have been defeated by the people's mandate. We will work more for the development of the state". "The beautification of Kolkata has been done. We stay on-ground and don't fly by night. We will now work for the urban and semi-urban areas also," she added. Outgoing mayor Firhad Hakim, who went to meet chief minister Mamata Banerjee after the results fuelling

the speculation of becoming the mayor for the second time, told the reporters: "We should accept the mandate of the people. We also did opposition politics for 34 years but we never questioned the people. They defeated us and we accepted it with a whole heart". Hitting out at BJP for their demand for repoll, Hakim said: "One should have the moral courage to accept the people's mandate. BJP is insulting the common people - the voters who went all the way from their houses to the polling stations to give their vote. BJP is insulting them. They have given the answers." Asked whether Firhad Hakim will be the next mayor, a senior Trinamool leader said: "That will be decided by the party. Once the result comes in the leadership will decide the future mayor of the city".

BJP, Cong spar over OBC reservation in MP Assembly IANS

Bhopal, Dec 23: A war of words broke out between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress in the State Assembly on Thursday after former chief minister and the Leader of Opposition Kamal Nath accused the state Election Commission of issuing confusing notifications regarding the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayat elections in the state. As the proceedings of the Assembly began, Nath raised the OBC reservation issue and asked the government to clear its stance. "Ever since the Supreme Court's order came, the state election commission has been issuing different notifications at different times which are creating confusion. I would request the government to clear its stand on the OBC reservation issue," Nath said. In response, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who is also Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said that the government has filed a petition in the Supreme Court and a date for hearing on the matter will be fixed by the court soon. After Mishra's statement, MLAs of the Congress accused the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government of

being anti-OBC. This led to a chaos prompting Speaker Girish Gautam to adjourn the Assembly for 15 minutes. Since the first day of the winter session of the Assembly (December 20), both the ruling (BJP) and the Opposition (Congress) have been accusing each other of being anti-OBC. Earlier on Tuesday, Chouhan had stated that the state government should explore legal options against the Supreme Court's December 17 order that stayed polling on all OBC-reserved seats. The ruling follows a similar order by the apex court for the Maharashtra municipal elections. Chouhan and Nath were arguing over the apex court staying the election on seats reserved for OBC candidates and directed the state election commission to re-notify these as general seats. The top court passed the order while hearing a plea challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court's order that accepted an application challenging the validity of the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Raj and Gram Swaraj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 related to reservation and

delimitation in MP but refused to stay the elections to the panchayat polls. The ordinance promulgated on November 21 by the state government had annulled the last rotation on reservation, and decided that the elections would be conducted as per the delimitation and rotation exercise carried out in 2014 by the then BJP government. Reserved seats are rotated among SCs, STs and women every five years, and the last time this happened was in 2019, when the Nath-led Congress government was in power for 15 months.

BJP seeks probe into Akhilesh Yadav's assets IANS

Lucknow, Dec 23: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh has demanded that the income of Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav income be investigated. State MSME Minister and government spokesperson Siddharth Nath Singh questioned Yadav's support to certain members of his party who were raided by the income tax department recently. He accused Akhilesh Yadav of lying about the income tax raids and defending his party members on the pretext of elections and trying to gain sympathy in the name of raids. The minister said that the SP president should accept that those close to him were tax evaders and that he, too, is their partner. "Undeclared assets of Rs 400 crore were found in the income tax raids. The income of Akhilesh Yadav and his family should also be investigated. The SP had prepared to fund the elections with this illegal money, but their plans could not be realised. Akhilesh should clarify what relation he has with those who

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were raided," Singh said. Singh said that loot, theft and corruption were in the DNA of the SP, and this was confirmed by the income tax raids and a recent CAG report on Noida. "Akhilesh had turned Noida into

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a den of loot. The CAG report has exposed corruption to the tune of over Rs 58,000 crore in allotment of land in Noida during the SP rule. The CAG report exposes how corrupt officials played with the interests of the public at Akhilesh's behest," the minister said.

TECHNOLOGY

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

TikTok expected to rank as 3rd DuckDuckGo working on privacylargest social network: Report focused desktop browser IANS

IANS

San Francisco, Dec 21: A new forecast has claimed that short video platform TikTok is expected to become the world's third-largest social network in 2022. The report by Insider Intelligence -- the firm previously known as eMarketer -- predicts that TikTok will reach 755.0 million monthly users in 2022, after seeing 59.8 per cent growth in 2020, followed by

40.8 per cent growth in 2021, reports TechCrunch reported on Monday. "The rise of TikTok is especially challenging for Snapchat, with which it competes head-to-head for the youth audience," Insider Intelligence principal analyst, Debra Aho Williamson was quoted as saying by the website. "Although TikTok does not share

much similarity to Twitter, its massive size relative to the more-established platform is a clear reflection of the addictive nature of TikTok's content," she added. Meta-owned Facebook, as of its most recent earnings, reported 2.91 billion monthly active users after seeing 6 per cent year-over-year growth. And recently, photo-sharing platform Instagram employees leaked its network had surpassed 2 billion monthly users, up from the 1 billion monthly user milestone reported in June 2018. However, the forecast is referencing its own 2022 predictions, which uses a slightly different set of calculations. The firm has its own definition of a monthly active user that may differ from those of each company it analyses, the report said. For example, it only counts users who log in at least once a month consistently over a calendar year period, and it attempts to weed out the fake accounts from its estimates. This is meant to provide clients with a more consistent "apples to apples" comparison across all platforms.

HP begins manufacturing laptops, multiple PC products in India IANS

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): PC and printer major HP Inc on Wednesday said it has started local manufacturing of multiple PC products including laptops in India, as the government renews its thrust on the 'make in India' initiative. The company has begun manufacturing multiple models of laptops, desktop towers, mini desktops at the Flex facility in Sriperumbudur near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. HP is also manufacturing display monitors in India. Some of these products qualify under public procurement order of the government and will be available on the Government e-Marketplace

(GeM) portal to meet the demands of the government departments and other customers, according to the company. "We will be expanding our portfolio in manufacturing across multiple products within India in order to make sure that we play a meaningful role in building the country as a global manufacturing hub," Ketan Patel, Managing Director, HP India Market, told IANS. "We have been working with the Central and state governments in the mission to empower the lives of millions of citizens and enhance the community's quality of life. This announcement will further solidify

our commitment to India," he added. HP Inc maintained its lead in the overall PC category in India, as it reported the third consecutive quarter (Q3) with over a million shipments in the country. It led both commercial and consumer segments with a 28.5 per cent share in the overall PC category, according to the IDC. This is the first time HP is manufacturing such a wide range of laptops in India, with products such as HP EliteBooks, HP ProBooks and HP G8 series notebooks. The company has also expanded its locally-manufactured commercial desktops by adding various models of desktop mini towers (MT), mini desktops (DM), small form factor (SFF) desktops and a range of All-inOne PCs. These products have both Intel and AMD processor options and cater to a wide range of customer segments. HP partnered with Flex to manufacture commercial desktops in the country from August 2020. "The last one year of significant growth is a great testimony of the fact that computing is powering hybrid work, hybrid learning and hybrid playing. Computing is now becoming mainstream and this is a very good indicator to expand our footprint," Patel emphasised.

Web 3.0 owned by big VC firms, not users: Jack Dorsey IANS

New Delhi, Dec 22: Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey has emphasised that big venture capital firms, and not users, actually own the Web 3.0 movement, saying that these are funds "determined to be a media empire that can't be ignored... not Gandhi". Web3, also known as Web 3.0, is an idea for a new Internet that incorporates decentralisation based on Blockchain.

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In a series of tweets, Dorsey who has quit Twitter to focus on his financial services company Block (earlier Square) said: "You don't own web3. The VCs and their LPs (limited partners) do. It will never escape their incentives. It's ultimately a centralised entity with a different label. Know what you're getting into." "You're a fund determined to be a media empire that can't be ignored... not Gandhi," he further posted.

One of the big VC firms Andreessen Horowitz has invested more than $3 billion in several dozen crypto companies. "The VCs are the problem, not the people," Dorsey continued. On another tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, saying "Has anyone seen web3? I can't find it," Dorsey reacted: "It's somewhere between a and z," indicating the name of VC firm Andreessen Horowitz. Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 refer to eras in the history of the Internet as it evolved through various technologies and formats. Web 1.0 refers roughly to the period from 1991 to 2004, where most websites were static web pages, and the vast majority of users were consumers, not producers, of content. Web 2.0 is based around the idea of "the web as platform", and centres on user-created content uploaded to social-networking services, blogs and wikis, among other services. Web 3.0 was coined in 2014 by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood, and the idea gained interest in 2021 from cryptocurrency enthusiasts, large technology companies, and venture capital firms.

San Francisco, Dec 23 (IANS): Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo is working on a dedicated desktop browser that will be available on the Mac. The browser will "redefine user expectations of everyday online privacy." It will ditch individual privacy settings in favour of an approach that enables privacy protections by default across search, email, and general browsing, the company claims. "It is not a 'privacy browser'; it is an everyday browsing app that respects your privacy because there is never a bad time to stop companies from spying on your search and browsing history," the firm said in a statement. The desktop browser will sport a clean and simple interface with

the Fire button from the mobile versions, which instantly clears all tabs and browsing data with just one click. The browser is currently in a closed beta test on macOS, but DuckDuckGo is getting it ready for Windows as well. There's no word on when the desktop browser will become publicly available. According to the company, compared to Chrome, the DuckDuckGo app for desktop is cleaner, way more private, and early tests have found it significantly faster too. Launched in 2008, DuckDuckGo's search engine is far behind Google but the latest controversies around user data privacy has helped it gain momentum like Telegram and Signal.

DuckDuckGo has been selected as the default search engine in the highly-secure chat platform Tor Browser, and is often the default search engine in the private browsing modes of several other browsers.

Second largest in AI talent pool, Bengaluru ranked fifth in the world IANS

Bengaluru, Dec 27: Bengaluru has emerged among the top five cities in the world for Artificial Intelligence (AI), at No. 5 according to a study by TIDE Framework and listed by Harvard Business Review (HBR). The ranking is derived based on a framework of indicators such as talent pool, investments, diversity of talent, the evolution of the country's digital foundations (TIDE). The other cities topping the list are San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Seattle. Bengaluru is also among the top cities on HBR's list of AI hotspots in the developing world scoring favourably on the cost of living. Other cities included Hyderabad, Jakarta, Lagos, Nairobi, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo. New Delhi (18th), Hyderabad (19th), and Mumbai (27th) have also made it to the list. The reviewers believe that the ranking collectively provides companies a way to prioritize their AI talent sourcing choices by

scoring different locations on the concentration, quality, and diversity of the AI talent pool. Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries and Commerce of Karnataka, told IANS that she was thrilled that Bengaluru is one of the top cities in the world for AI and has the world's

second largest AI talent pool. "Karnataka has a dynamic AI landscape, and I am thrilled that we are leading the way for the future in innovation and technology. AI has become a key new factor for various sectors, and we are consistently working towards building the required infrastructure and bridging the skill gap," she said.

Hackers use AnyDesk in safe mode to launch attacks: Report IANS

New Delhi, Dec 27: Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity, on Monday revealed that hackers attempted to bypass security controls by using a combination of Windows Safe Mode and the AnyDesk remote administration tool. Windows Safe Mode is an IT support method for resolving IT issues that disables most security and IT administration tools, while AnyDesk provides continuous remote access. "Sophos discovered that the AvosLocker attackers installed AnyDesk so it works in Safe Mode, tried to disable the components of security solutions that run in Safe Mode, and then ran the ransomware in Safe Mode. This creates a scenario where the attackers have full remote control over every machine they've set up with AnyDesk, while the target organization is likely locked out of remote access to those computers. Sophos has never seen some of these components used with ransomware, and certainly not together," Peter Mackenzie, director of incident response at Sophos, said in a statement. AvosLocker is a relatively new ransomware-as-a service that first

appeared in late June 2021 and is growing in popularity, according to Sophos. The Sophos Rapid Response team has so far seen AvosLocker attacks in the Americas, Middle East and Asia-Pacific, targeting Windows and Linux systems. Sophos researchers investigating the ransomware deployment found that the main sequence starts with attackers using PDQ Deploy to run and execute a batch script called "love.bat," "update.bat," or "lock.bat" on targeted machines. The script issues and implements a series of consecutive commands that prepare the machines for the release of the ransomware and then reboots into Safe Mode. The command sequence takes approximately five seconds to execute and includes disabling Windows update services and Windows Defender and then attempting to disable the components of commercial security software solutions that can run in Safe Mode. Installing the legitimate remote administration tool AnyDesk and setting it to run in Safe Mode while connected to the network, ensuring continued command and control by

the attacker and finally setting up a new account with auto login details and then connecting to the target's domain controller to remotely access and run the ransomware executable, called update.exe "The techniques used by AvosLocker are simple, but very clever. They ensure that the ransomware has the best chance of running in Safe Mode and allow the attackers to retain remote access to the machines throughout the attack," Mackenzie added.

TikTok-rival Chingari app crosses 107mn downloads on Play Store New Delhi, Dec 24: Short video app Chingari, one the few TikTok rivals, on Friday announced that it has crossed 107 million downloads on Google Playstore. Chingari had recently tied up with multiple platforms for unique entertainment and engagement collaborations, which includes association with celeb-based apps, digital content providers and video-sharing platforms in Indian languages. "We launched Chingari with a concept of being unique in terms of a short-video sharing platform. It has constantly pushed us to go beyond the best. Chingari as a brand has now truly arrived with

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this present success on the charts. For us, this is just the beginning of bigger achievements," Sumit Ghosh, Co-founder & CEO of Chingari App, said in a statement. Chingari has also worked heavily with the music industry. It includes associations with music labels in Indian languages like Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali and Bhojpuri to offer users options in regional language. The app has collaborated with artists like Nucleya for successful concerts. To keep its users hooked, Chingari has also added first-of-its-kind AR (Augmented Reality) filters on its platform to give content creators more advanced front and rear

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camera tools to work with. Further, a content creator on this platform not only earns recognition and sponsorships but is also given points (based on how viral the video is) that can be redeemed for money. The company earlier revealed that the app witnessed around 100,000 downloads per hour at one point. Chingari app also registered 500,000 downloads within just 72 hours. With 107 Million downloads, Chingari has risen on popularity charts with its unique myriad offerings that meet the changing user demands, the company claims.

SPORTS

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Test debutant Boland guides Kirmani says Kapil's unbeaten Australia to crushing win over 175 was the best ODI knock ever England; hosts retain the Ashes IANS

IANS

Melbourne, Dec 28: Test debutant Scott Boland returned with figures of 6/7 in his four overs as Australia crushed England by an innings and 14 runs on Day 3 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to retain the Ashes on Tuesday. The victory ensures Australia stay at the top of the World Test Championship standings with 100 per cent points, while England slip further. Already on the brink of humiliation after a sensational bowling performance from Mitchell Starc and Boland on Day 2, England needed a

big performance from two of their best batters -- skipper Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes. A couple of flourishes and delectable drives from the duo would have given them a semblance of hope. But once the Australian bowlers found their rhythm again, the procession began. Starc got through the gates of Stokes with an absolute beauty. The all-rounder had no answers as the ball nipped back in, shattering his stumps, as he departed for 11. The Boland show then began as he embarked on a devastating spell that completely shattered the opposition.

In the span of his three overs, he picked up four wickets. First, he trapped Jonny Bairstow in front of the stumps who then reviewed the call unsuccessfully. Then, the big wicket of Root followed with a fuller delivery, which nipped away from the England skipper. Root could only edge the delivery, departing for 28. Mark Wood was the next one to follow, with Boland taking a sensational caught and bowled. The crowd was up on its feet as Australia were now only two wickets away from a 3-0 victory in the five-Test series. Ollie Robinson was the next one to perish against Boland, as the pacer again got the delivery to move off the deck. It proved too good for Robinson, who was dismissed for a duck. By the end, Boland's figures read 6/7 in four overs. The final scalp was taken by Cameron Green, bowling Anderson for two as the MCG erupted with a big roar. England were bowled out for 68, losing the match by an innings and 14 runs. Australia have now taken an unassailable 3-0 lead, with the Ashes in the bag. The fourth Test is scheduled at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 5. Root would be pondering where exactly things went wrong as their horrendous tour continued. Brief scores: England 185 and 68 all out in 27.4 overs (Mitchell Starc 3/29, Scott Boland 6/7) lost to Australia 267 (Marcus Harris 76, David Warner 38) by an innings and 14 runs.

PM Morrison lavishes praise on MCG hero Scott Boland

IANS

Melbourne, Dec 28: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison led the tributes for 32-year-old pace bowler Scott Boland, who

single-handedly demolished England in the Boxing Day Test on Day 3, grabbing six second-innings wickets and conceding only seven

runs in the four overs he bowled. Boland's efforts on Test debut saw Australia crush England by an innings and 14 runs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead and retain the Ashes at the MCG on Tuesday. "How good!!! They don't come much bigger than that. An Ashes triumph to rival the best at the G (MCG). Congratulations to @patcummins30 (captain), @stevesmith49, Justin Langer (coach) and the whole team -- and especially @sboland24 -- an inspirational performance. A great day," tweeted Morrison. Boland's figures of 6/7 are the best by a debutant on the MCG in 144 years, and the only player to have taken more wickets is Tom Kendall, who recorded 7/55 in 1877 -- five years before Australia's victory at The Oval gave life to the Ashes. Former England cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan said, "England nowhere near good enough... they will know that... but seeing a 32 yr old (Boland) on debut on his home turf with the Crowd going berserk is what makes Sport so special... Well done Australia... Far too good for England... #Ashes." Australian cricketing great Shane Warne tweeted, "Amazing stuff and how good was @scottboland24 on debut rocking the mighty MCG -- just awesome, well done mate." Boland has become only the second Indigenous male player to wear the baggy green after pace bowler Jason Gillespie, who played 71 Tests between 1996 and 2006.

The Ashes: Root & co get trolled on social media, fans share hilarious memes London, Dec 28: Following England’s humiliating defeat in the third Ashes Test in Melbourne on Tuesday, cricket fans posted hilarious memes mocking the Joe Root-led side. The visitors slumped to a crushing defeat on Day 3 of the Boxing Day

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Test, bowled out for 68 as hosts Australia moved into an unassailable 3-0 lead and retained the Ashes. England’s second innings total of 68 is their lowest score in Australia since 1904. And cricket fans have taken to social media to mock England with several creative

memes. One of them tweeted a photo of the wagon wheel for all 11 of England’s players in Melbourne with a straight line from the crease to the pavilion. England have scored 54 ducks in Test cricket this calendar year. To this, a fan tweeted a photo of the

New Delhi, Dec 23: With '83' ready for its worldwide release on Friday, there has been a renewed interest in India's first-ever Cricket World Cup triumph. One of the main turning points from that triumphant campaign was Kapil Dev's herculean knock of 175 against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells. It was a do-or-die match for India, because if they had lost it, they would have crashed out of the mega event. Things didn't go as per plan as India were reduced to 17/5 when Kapil Dev came in to bat and smashed 175 not out off 138 balls, slamming 16 fours and six sixes. There are still some unknown facts about that innings, the first century by an Indian in One Day International (ODI) cricket, and wicketkeeper-batter Syed Kirmani, who was supporting Kapil Dev from the other end, revealed some of them while going down memory lane recently. "That (Kapil's 175 not out) cannot be forgotten. Unfortunately, BBC went on strike, for whatever reasons. They thought we (India and Zimbabwe) are the two weakest teams in the competition (1983 World Cup) and why should we give live coverage to these guys. This was the real reason that we got to know later. They gave the excuse that the BBC was on strike. That is a story by itself," Kirmani was quoted as saying by Asianet Newsable. Kirmani was his usual relaxed self on the morning of the match. But the relaxed mood took a different turn. "Within 30 minutes or so of our innings, one of the players, I don't know who it was, shouted, 'Kiri, pad up'. I was thinking that someone was pulling my leg, trying to fool me. I did not take it seriously. "Then, a minute later, the same voice said, 'Kya kar raha hai yaar, pad up (What are you doing, pad up?)'. This time, I went near a window and looked out of the dressing room, the scoreboard read 17/5. Seeing this, my

eyes popped out, and my towel fell. Luckily, nobody was around to see what I was wearing under the towel. Then I rushed into the washroom, took a quick shower, and soon found myself walking in to bat. It was 140/8." At 140/8, Kirmani arrived at the crease to join Kapil Dev. What did the keeper say to his captain? "When I walked in, Kapil was batting on 50-plus," Kirmani remembered in his conversation with Asianet Newsable. "I said to myself, it is the time that I should prove why I am called 'crisis man' and teammates also believed that 'this guy will save the Indian team'. They were confident that I could hold one end up. He continued: "I went up to Kapil Dev. This was a crucial match for us to qualify for the semi-finals. I told Kapil, 'We are in a do-or-die situation. 'Humare ko aise hi marna nahi hai, Kaps. Maar ke marna hai agar marna hai to' (If we have to die, let's fight to the finish and die).' I then told him not to worry, 'I will give you maximum strike'. "Kapil said, 'Kiri bhai, we have to play the full 60 overs, there are still 35-plus overs to go.' I replied, 'Kapil, you are the best hitter in the Indian team, I will take a single off the first ball, the rest five, you have got to hit, either four or a six, 'maaro' (hit).' The first two deliveries I faced were both bouncers, went past my nose.

The third delivery, I whacked it for a four. It must have boosted the confidence of Kapil." Delving deeper into Kapil Dev's historic knock, Kirmani remarked: "What an innings from Kapil Dev! In that situation, at 17/5 and later 140/8. And to qualify we had to win that game. There was pressure on us. Considering the situation, Kapil's 175 not out cannot be compared with any innings in the history of ODI cricket. "Even M.S. Dhoni has not played an innings under such pressure. Kapil's superlative innings is the best-ever I have seen in my entire career. Hats off to Kapil Dev. Till date, I have not seen any batsman play such a knock in such a situation. It was a great innings. This match was the most memorable in ODI history." After Dev's unbeaten 175, Kirmani's 24 was the second-highest score in India's 266/8 in 60 overs. Eventually, India won the match by 31 runs. "At the end of the match, everyone was happy," Kirmani said. "If we had lost, it would have been a disastrous feeling. When you are happy, you enjoy the moment, other things are shelved. I was very happy that I could bail the team out of a crisis. They also came very close to the target. It was a brilliant comeback to qualify for the semi-final and meet hosts England. Then we went on to defeat the mighty West Indies."

I think it's the right way to go: Ravi Shastri on split captaincy IANS

Mumbai, Dec 27 (IANS): Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that split captaincy between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma is the right way to go. He added that the arrangement could be a blessing in disguise for both Kohli and Sharma as one captain handling all three formats of the game will not be easy in a pandemic-dictated world. After Kohli left the T20I captaincy, Sharma was made the captain in the format. Just before the Indian Test side left for South Africa, Sharma was made the full-time white-ball captain with Kohli continuing as the red-ball skipper. "I think it's the right way to go. This could be a blessing in disguise for Virat, and for Rohit because I don't think in this era if the bubble life exists for another year or so, one guy to handle all three is not easy at all," said Shastri on Bold & Brave: The Shastri Way show on Star Sports. Talking about his equation with Kohli since being part of the set-up as team director from 2014 to

2016 and from 2017 to 2021 as the head coach, Shastri pointed out the similarities. "We're both pretty aggressive, we want to play to win. We realised very quickly that to win you need to take 20 wickets, deciding to play aggressive and fearless cricket. It meant at times you would lose games but once you got one across the line, then it's infectious."

Shastri is also credited with Sharma's impactful innings in Test cricket as an opener since 2019. Speaking on making the move, the 59-year-old remarked, "It was very clear in my mind that I wanted to do it. I thought if I can't get the best out of him as a batsman then I am a failure as a coach because there is too much talent there."

England team, comprising a raft of ducks. Meanwhile, Australia have claimed both the Ashes and the T20 World Cup title in just six weeks, bouncing back from the 1-2 Test series defeat to India. They will head into the final two matches of the series hopeful of sweeping the Ashes for the first time since 2013/14.

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Entrepreneurship – Stand out from the crowd Vahini Panda e had students ask us what can be done to stand out from the crowd to do things differently as there are many like them who are doing similar courses and they want to do things differently, so they stand out and carve a niche for themselves. Entrepreneurship is simply defined as starting a business, taking a financial risk in the hope of profit. Many Entrepreneurs have visions of transforming the world with their ideas. An entrepreneur needs to either have or develop few qualities which will help them become successful. Below are few of them: Strategic planning Empathy Collaboration Management Inquisitiveness Strong Ethics Marketing So let us elaborate on the above points. Strategic Planning – A business should always have a plan in place, A strategy for success. The plan should have your vision for your business, financial forecasts and planning, organisational structure, policies and procedures, marketing plan, risk analysis, mitigating risk and implementation plan. This will help you follow a structure and also will clearly define your aims and goals which makes it more structured for you to work towards. Empathy: Many entrepreneurs miss this very important point. A business owner should be empathetic towards their customers, employees and partners. Wondering why? Because only when you have the capacity to put yourselves in their shoes will you ever be able to relate and understand their needs. Once you have that empathy towards them working with them or working for them will become easier. Only when you fully understand what their needs are can you fully support them or provide to them successfully. So If you are not naturally empathetic it is a good skill to develop both in business and personal life. Collaboration: Always look for opportunities to collaborate. It could be referrals, outsourcing, partnerships or affiliations. Collaborations

Meet Anand Eswaran, new Indian CEO of global IT firm Veeam

contribute towards the growth of the business and provide you with additional intellectual property, resources or manpower which normally might be out of your reach. Ensure the collaboration works within your business strategy. You should not change any of your major business operations for a collaboration, you should be able to integrate them within your operations. Management: Efficient management of a business is an art in itself. Good organisational skills are essential for a good manager. Some might have these naturally and some might not. It is good to develop them or there are tools like reminders and calendars which can be used to ensure you are organised. An efficiently run business is like a well-oiled machinery which runs smoothly with minimal interruptions. For this to happen the business owner or the CEO should ensure there are systems and procedures in place which are adhered to strictly. If this is something you struggle with it is a good idea to hire someone with these skills. Inquisitiveness: An entrepreneur should always be curious about what else is out there in the marketplace. You should never be satisfied with what you have and should always try to make it better and more competitive. The only way you will know that your product or service needs improvement is when you are inquisitive about what else is out there, is that offering better than yours in value, quality and usefulness? What can you do to improve what you offer? Once you see this make those changes. Never stagnate your product or service. Continuous improvement should be part of your business.

Strong Ethics: While a business or enterprise is about profit, it should never be just about that. Generally, I believe that all entrepreneurs have good hearts, they start with the idea of providing something better than what is out there. Operate your business with solid ethics. Don’t compromise the quality of your product or service even if it affects the bottom dollar in the short term. Think of the long-term benefits and the business value. Marketing: Last but the most important of all is a terrific marketing strategy. Your marketing strategy is what makes you stand out. Many businesses fail because their product or service does not reach the consumers. You might have the most outstanding product or service but, if not enough people know about it success will be a struggle. In this world of online and digital media, digital marketing is the only way forward. We spend more than 50% of our time online. So it makes more sense for you to market online. There are many tools like social media, search engines, industry portals etc for this. Check out my article on ‘Social Media and Digital Marketing for Small Businesses’ for more information on this. Hope this has given you some ideas. Wish you all the success! About the Author: Vahini is the CEO and Founder of Health Academy Australia and Health Courses Australia. She is multi faceted in her skills and expertise which is backed by 20 years experience in the areas of education, health, ecommerce and Information Technology. She is a CEO, Passionate business owner, Author, Blogger, Nutritionist, Digital marketing expert and a Mum.

Rs 500 cr one time settlement package announced for Kerala cashew industry Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 30: After several rounds of discussions between Kerala government, banking officials and the cashew industry, a onetime settlement package has been announced which will provide succour to the tune of Rs 500 crores, a state minister said. The one-time money spinning cashew industry in Kerala has been in shambles due to high cost of production, unavailability of raw nuts, and not to mention the Covid pandemic and for long they have been seeking assistance from the Pinarayi-Vijayan led Left government since 2016. The first intervention by the Vijayan government came in 2019 and since then there have been regular meetings with all concerned. State Industries Minister P. Rajiv on Thursday said this scheme would benefit those in the cashew business who have availed a loan of up to Rs 10 crore. According to the new package, interest will be waived of on all loans up to Rs 10 crores taken by the

cashew industry. Besides this those who have taken loans for sums up to Rs 2 crore can close their account by paying 50 per cent of the capital. And for those who have availed loans from Rs 2 to Rs 10 crore, they have to pay 60 per cent and the accounts can be closed.

Anand Eswaran, CEO of global IT firm Veeam

New Delhi, Dec 17: Hot on the heels of Indian-origin Parag Agarwal being appointed as Twitter CEO, another Indian-origin executive Anand Eswaran has made it to the high-profile league of global honchos calling the shots at Big Tech. Eswaran, who has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a member of the Board of Directors of global IT firm Veeam, will lead the company to achieve the next $1 billion in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and beyond.

Eswaran joined Veeam from RingCentral where he was President and Chief Operating Officer (COO), overseeing exponential growth and customer expansion. Before RingCentral, he was responsible for Microsoft's Enterprise Commercial and Public Sector business globally. Before Microsoft, Eswaran was the Executive Vice President of the $5.4 billion Global Services business at SAP, leading 17,000 business process and technology professionals to accelerate customer and partner

value creation through SAP's enterprise applications. He has held multiple other leadership roles including Vice President of Global Software Services at HP, Vice President of Global Professional Services at Vignette (now OpenText), and Senior Manager at Braun Consulting (now Fair Isaac). "Today my RingCentral chapter closes with unforgettable experiences and lasting friendships. My next chapter begins -- promising opportunities to learn and grow. New beginnings as CEO of Veeam," he said in one of his tweets. In a write-up, Eswaran said: "A new adventure often marks the close of a chapter. In my case, one that has provided unforgettable experiences and lasting friendships. But as one chapter closes, a new one begins - promising new opportunities to learn and grow." He is a founding member of the Technology Services Industry Association (TSIA) and served on the executive advisory board for 12 years. Eswaran holds a master's degree in computer science and engineering from the University of MissouriColumbia and a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from the University of Mumbai. He is married and has two children.

OnlyFans appoints Mumbaiborn Amrapali Gan as CEO London, Dec 22: Subscription-based adult content creation platform OnlyFans has announced the appointment of Mumbai-born Amrapali “Ami” Gan as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Gan will assume the day-to-day leadership of the company from Tim Stokely, who will be stepping down to pursue new endeavours. Stokely has led the company for the last five years and appointed Gan to continue the company’s growth and drive its vision and commitment to empower creators. “Ami has a deep passion for OnlyFans’ business and I’m passing the baton to a friend and colleague who has the vision and drive to help the organisation reach its tremendous potential,” said Stokely, the company’s founder. “OnlyFans is still a new company and Ami brings a fresh energy and reflects who we are as a business,” Stokely added. Gan, 36, served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for

OnlyFans and has been with the organisation since 2020, working side-by-side with Stokely to grow OnlyFans into the platform it is today. Gan is taking over this role from Stokely, who has been at the helm since founding the company in 2016. He will continue with OnlyFans as an advisor guiding this leadership transition. Before joining OnlyFans, Gan worked with rapid growth companies and fast-moving consumer industries. “I am proud to assume this role. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our creator community to help them maximise control over, and monetise, their content,” said Gan. OnlyFans, which is known for hosting adult content, allows creators to monetise the content they want to share. OnlyFans has 180 million registered users and over two million creators worldwide. It has paid out over $5

billion to its content creators since it first started trading five years ago.

Consequent to this huge one time settlement, the State Level Bankers Committee officials points out that it will provide relief to numerous people in the cashew business to the tune of Rs 500 crore. This scheme will be applicable to all those accounts which have turned NPA as on March 31, 2020.

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BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

10-minute grocery delivery app Zepto raises $100 mn

has expanded beyond Mumbai by launching in Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune (Kolkata to follow), the company said in a statement. "Investors are consistently choosing to back Zepto because of our bestin-class execution. This is giving us incredible momentum - we're growing at a phenomenal rate,

Lucknow, Dec 23: The Uttar Pradesh government has drawn up a plan to set up drone manufacturing units in Uttar Pradesh. Drones are now being used in various sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, health, maintenance of law and order, among others. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said, "Considering the importance of 'drones' in various fields including

disaster relief, agriculture, maintenance of law and order, a concrete action plan should be prepared to establish a drone manufacturing unit in the state." The chief minister has also asked the state to prepare its own manual. At present, there are no clear rules for flying drones in the state. He said that the Union Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a policy in this regard. Accordingly, the state

IANS

customers are loving the product experience, our core unit economics are strong, and we have one of the best startup teams in India today," said Aadit Palicha, Co-Founder and CEO. The Series C fundraising round saw participation from new and existing investors, including Glade Brook, Nexus, Breyer Capital, Lachy Groom, Global Founders Capital, Contrary Capital, and more. The round came 45 days after the company announced its $60 million fundraise in November. Delivering groceries in 10 minutes is a game-changing experience for customers in the country, and several players are now joining the race. In five months, the startup has launched 100 micro-warehouses each of which has the capacity to do 2,500+ orders a day. "We are excited to double down and lead this round in Zepto. They originally launched with a different model, swiftly pivoted to quick commerce in August 2021 and are now adding 100,000 new customers every week, 60 per cent of them women," said Anu Hariharan from Y Combinator.

Hyderabad, Dec 24 (IANS): The American Telugu Association (ATA) has facilitated a $20 million investment in Indian startups by organising business seminars since 2014. According to the association, which is working to promote Telugu community in the US, they have been conducting business seminars in Hyderabad once every two years. These business seminars encouraged multiple companies to move into second tier cities; and start T-Hub in Khammam town, which was a big accomplishment made possible by Lax Chepuri, ATA cochair for business. The business seminar held in Hyderabad on Thursday focused on encouraging Telugu entrepreneurs with mentorship and funding. The meet was aimed at promoting the business environment in tier-II cities of Telangana. This is an initiative to encourage business ideas, mentor young entrepreneurs, provide a platform for venture capitalists, and startup companies. Nearly 100 mentors, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and technology experts based in the US and in India attended the seminar. "This business seminar agenda was

government should also prepare drone rules. The manual should have clear provisions regarding the issuance of a drone airworthiness certificate, maintenance certificate, acceptance of existing drones, operator permits, student remote pilot license, remote pilot instructor authorisation, etc., to the drone users. According to the government spokesman, the chief minister

proposed the drone manufacturing unit, given the importance of unmanned aircraft in various fields such as disaster relief, agriculture, and law and order, the spokesperson said. He has also mulled over starting certificate or diploma courses on drone technology in industrial training institutes, for which necessary help will be taken from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.

IANS

Mumbai, Dec 21: Just five months after launching, 10-minute grocery delivery app Zepto on Tuesday announced it has raised $100 million led by Y Combinator, taking its valuation to $570 million. Besides the fundraise, Zepto has been growing incredibly quickly and is tripling its user-base every month. Over the past two months, Zepto

American Telugu Association facilitates investment in Indian startups multifold, to increase networking and interaction between the US-based Telugu entrepreneurs and business owners based in Telangana; mentor and invest in start-up companies in India, especially those based in Telangana; and attract more companies into second tier cities like Khammam, Warangal, Nalgonda, Karimnagar, and Nizamabad," said Kashi Kotha, the Business Committee Chair for ATA Vedukalu. "Telugu entrepreneurs are gaining prominence across the US and around the world. This ATA business seminar is an effort to promote US-India partnerships and encourage entrepreneurs to invest in various districts across Telangana," said Jayanth Challa, Conference Advisory Committee Chair, ATA. In addition to mentoring and potential investment discussions between investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, the seminar is also the launch pad for a continuous dialogue between various enterprises planning to move to second tier cities and officials representing the Telangana government. Senior executives of the state government took part in the seminar, including Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary; Puvvada Ajay Kumar,

Transport Minister; Vijay Rangineni, CEO IT Investments Telangana government, and Srikanth Sinha, CEO Telangana Academy of Skill and Knowledge. ATA President Bhuvanesh Boojala, ATA President Elect Madhu Bommineni, Conference Coordinator Kiran Pasham and others addressed the seminar. The ATA is a premier national organisation established in 1990 in the USA representing over 500,000 people across the US, majority of whom are first generation Indians coming from the Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is involved in promoting community services, business, cultural and social activities, student assistance, and preservation and promotion of Telugu language and heritage in the US, and across the globe.

UP to set up drone manufacturing units Instructing the officials, the chief minister further said that drones due to their accessibility, ease of use, can make a significant contribution to employment and economic development in remote and inaccessible areas. Also, there is also huge employment potential in the field of drone manufacturing. Many companies want to set up their units in Uttar Pradesh, he said. The chief minister asked the officials to approach other investors too

and suggested that the Defence Corridor can be a useful area for this industry. He also directed to start diploma/ certificate courses for training drone technology in ITIs and polytechnic institutes. "If necessary, the help of IIT Kanpur should be taken," he added. Drones were used during the Covid pandemic, especially for surveillance and spraying of disinfectants.

BITCOIN UPDATES Scammers netted cryptocurrencies K'taka CID submits charge sheet worth $7.7 bn in 2021: Report against Bitcoin scam kingpin Sriki New Delhi, Dec 20: Cryptocurrency scammers netted $7.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency from victims in 2021, an 81 per cent rise in losses compared to last year, a new report showed on Monday. According to Blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, nearly $1.1 billion of the $7.7 billion were attributed to a single scheme which allegedly targeted Russia and Ukraine. A key source of rising cryptocurrency scams in 2021 were 'rug pulls', where the developers of a new

cryptocurrency vanish and take supporters' funds with them, reports ZDNet. Rug pulls accounted for 37 per cent of all cryptocurrency scam revenue in 2021, at $2.8 billion. "As the largest form of cryptocurrency-based crime and one uniquely targeted toward new users, scamming poses one of the biggest threats to cryptocurrency's continued adoption," Chainalysis said. The report found that the number of active financial scams rose from

2,052 in 2020 to 3,300. Scams also went up in line with the rise in value of popular cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum and Bitcoin. "The most important takeaway is to avoid new tokens that haven't undergone a code audit. Code audits are a process through which a third-party firm analyses the code of the smart contract behind a new token or other DeFi project," said Chainalysis.

20% of large firms will use digital currencies by 2024: Gartner

New Delhi, Dec 18: Twenty per cent of large organisations globally will use digital currencies for payments, stored value or collateral by 2024, according to a Gartner report. The prediction for wider adoption of digital currencies by 2024 is partly driven by the already healthy environment of service providers and off-the-shelf solutions available to large enterprises that have identified a specific use case for digital currencies. The forecast has important implications for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) as they assess use cases and

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potential risks for digital currencies, which will be used more in business transactions and grow in overall economic significance in the years ahead, the report said. "Increasing mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies on traditional payment platforms and the rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) will push many large enterprises to incorporate digital currencies into their applications in the coming years," said Avivah Litan, distinguished vice president analyst in the Gartner IT practice. "Digital currencies will be primarily

used by these organisations for payment, a store of value and the ability to leverage high-yield investments available in decentralised finance (DeFi) applications," Litan added. Macro-economic pressures related to ongoing high inflation, and its impact on fiat currencies, could push more CFOs to explore some digital currencies as a potential store of value for a portion of their reserves. "We have noticed an uptick in interest in digital currency and Blockchain applications among CFOs since the start of the year," said Alexander Bant, chief of research in the Gartner Finance practice. "Among the primary use cases for digital currencies that we have identified, there will be no need for most organisations to develop a customised Blockchain application stack," said Litan. Many large banks, payment platforms, institutional digital asset custodians and wallet providers have already done the heavy lifting in this area, which should provide large enterprises with a minimum of friction in deploying their own digital currency applications

IANS

Bengaluru, Dec 17 (IANS): Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has submitted a charge sheet against Bitcoin scandal kingpin Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki in connection with website hacking case, police sources said on Friday. According to sources, the police have submitted 500 pages of charge sheet against main accused Sriki

and 17 others in a special court. The police officers explained that the charge sheet containing the information on transaction of money is likely to cause a stir among political circles of the state. The charge sheet has been submitted under IPC section 420, section 43 and 66 of the IT Act. It maintains that main accused Sriki hacked into

the government e-portals to manipulate contract processes as per the directions of his contractor friend and another co-accused in the case, sources said. As much as Rs 11.55 crore was siphoned off after hacking into a e-procurement portal. The police who were investigating this case stumbled upon kingpin Sriki involving in hacking three Bitcoin agencies, 10 poker websites and other scams. The Bitcoin scandal has taken a political turn with Congress making direct allegations on top BJP leaders, including BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel in connection with the incident. The scandal has been discussed at the national level by Congress. The Congress is also planning to rake up the issue in the ongoing winter Assembly session at Belagavi and it is expected to create a heated debate between opposition Congress and ruling BJP in Karnataka.

RBI's Board discusses aspects of central bank digital currency Central banking

Mumbai, Dec 17 (IANS): The Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India on Friday deliberated upon various aspects relating to the central bank digital currency and private crypto currencies. The discussions took place at the 592nd meeting of its Central Board of Directors at Lucknow. The central bank has been working on modalities for central bank digital currency. However, it has expressed reservations on private cryptocurrencies. Last month, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had said that cryptocurrencies are a very serious concern from the macro-economic and financial stability perspective.

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Apart from digital currency and cryptocurrency, the board on Friday reviewed the current domestic and global economic situation, evolving challenges and remedial measures, and the half yearly income statement of the RBI.

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In addition, the board discussed various areas of operations including the functioning of the local boards, activities of select central office departments, and the draft 'Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India, 2020-21'.

HEALTH

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vax protection wanes after 3 months: Lancet IANS

London, Dec 21: The protection offered by the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, named Covishield in India, declines after three months of receiving two doses, according to a study published in the journal The Lancet. The findings suggest that booster programmes are needed to help maintain protection from severe disease, said a team of researchers led by University of Edinburgh. The researchers from Scotland and Brazil analysed data for two million people in Scotland and 42 million people in Brazil who had been vaccinated with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which uses an adenovirus, specifically a common cold virus from chimpanzees, to train the immune system to fight the virus.

In Scotland, when compared with two weeks after receiving a second dose, there was approximately a five-fold increase in the chance of being hospitalised or dying from Covid-19 nearly five months after being double vaccinated. The decline in effectiveness begins to first appear at around three months, when the risk of hospitalisation and death is double that of two weeks after the second dose, the experts said, while the risk increases three-fold just short of four months after the second vaccine dose. Similar numbers were seen for Brazil. "Vaccines have been a key tool in fighting the pandemic, but waning in their effectiveness has been a concern for a while. By identifying

when waning first starts to occur in the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, it should be possible for governments to design booster programmes that can ensure maximum protection is maintained, said Professor Aziz Sheikh, Director of the University of Edinburgh. "If eligible for a booster and you have not yet had one, I would highly recommend that you book one soon," he added. The study also estimated vaccine effectiveness at similar fortnightly intervals by comparing outcomes of people who have been jabbed with those who are unvaccinated. However, the experts warned that the figures should be treated with caution because it is becoming harder to compare unvaccinated people to vaccinated people with similar characteristics, particularly among older age groups where so many people are now vaccinated. Meanwhile, a recent study led by Pune-based BJ Government Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon hospital revealed high levels of protection (seroprevalence) against Covid-19 in over 500 healthcare workers even three to seven months after taking two doses of Covishield. The study also showed that the antibody prevalence was above 90 per cent and immunity level was also high months after completion of two doses, suggesting no need for booster doses.

2022 must be year to end Covid-19: WHO

IANS

Geneva, Dec 21: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has called on the world to pull together to end the Covid-19 pandemic within the next year. Addressing reporters here on Monday, Tedros said the "fastest

way" to get back to normal is to make "hard decisions," this festive season amid the Omicron Covid-19 variant's quick spread. ""Canceling an event is better than canceling a life. It is better to cancel now and celebrate later than to celebrate now and mourn later," he

added. "All of us want to get back to normal... We need to protect ourselves now," Xinhua news agency quoted the WHO chief as further saying. He also asked the governments to exercise maximum caution in the coming weeks and avoid events with large gatherings. Since the Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa, it has now been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to three days in areas with community transmission, according to the WHO. The new variant is not more severe than the Delta variant, but is possibly more contagious and resistant to vaccines. On the inequity in access to vaccines, the WHO chief said: "If we are to end the pandemic in the coming year, we must end inequity."

Omicron will hit home for all of us, warns Bill Gates

Business Insider

New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has warned that humanity "could be entering the worst part of the pandemic" as the Omicron variant spreads fast across the globe, stressing that Omicron will "hit home for all of us". In a series of tweets, Gates said that he has cancelled most of his holiday plans as his close friends are increasingly being infected with the Covid-19 virus. "Just when it seemed like life www.indianabroad.news

would return to normal, we could be entering the worst part of the pandemic. Omicron will hit home for all of us. Close friends of mine now have it, and I've cancelled most of my holiday plans," Gates tweeted late on Tuesday. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has already said that "an event cancelled is better than a life cancelled," in the wake of Omicron spread. In the US, Omicron is now

dominant, accounting for 73 per cent of new infections. "Omicron is spreading faster than any virus in history. It will soon be in every country in the world," Gates said. "The big unknown is how sick omicron makes you. We need to take it seriously until we know more about it. Even if it's only half as severe as Delta, it will be the worst surge we have seen so far because it's so infectious," he posted. Amid mounting cases of the fast-spreading Omicron variant of Covid-19, scientists in the UK have called for urgent rules, warning that waiting till New Year to enforce the measures may be "too late". The UK has so far recorded over 37,000 confirmed cases of Omicron, with a majority of cases detected in the last two-three days, and 12 deaths. In India, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday that the new Covid variant Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant. Gates said that if there's good news here, it's that Omicron moves so quickly that once it becomes dominant in a country, the wave there should last less than 3 months. "Those few months could be bad, but I still believe if we take the right steps, the pandemic can be over in 2022," he said in a tweet.

Substantial weight loss lessens Covid severity: Study New York, Dec 30: People with obesity who had substantial weight loss following bariatric surgery may have a lower risk of severe complications from Covid-19, finds a new study. The study, published in the journal JAMA Surgery, indicates that among patients with obesity, prior weight loss achieved with bariatric surgery was associated with a 60 per cent lower risk of developing severe complications from Covid-19 infection. “The research findings show that patients with obesity who achieved substantial and sustained weight loss with bariatric surgery prior to a Covid-19 infection reduced their risk of developing severe illness by 60 per cent,” said lead author Ali Aminian from the Cleveland Clinic in the US. Obesity weakens the immune system, creates a chronic inflammatory state, and increases risk for cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and lung conditions. All of these conditions can complicate Covid-19. For the study, a total of 20,212 adult patients with obesity were included in this observational study. A group of 5,053 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or greater who had weight-loss surgery between 2004 and 2017 were carefully matched 1:3

to non-surgical patients, resulting in 15,159 control patients. Compared with those in the non-surgical group, patients who had bariatric surgery lost 19 per cent more body weight prior to March 1, 2020. After the Covid-19 outbreak, the team looked at four Covid-19-related outcomes: rate of contracting SARSCoV-2 infection, hospitalisation, need for supplemental oxygen and severe disease (defined as a combination of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation or death). Although the rate of contracting

SARS-CoV-2 was similar between the groups (9.1 per cent in the surgical group and 8.7 per cent in the non-surgical group), participants in the weight-loss surgery group experienced much better outcomes after contracting Covid-19 compared with those in the non-surgical group. Researchers found that patients with prior weight loss surgery had a 49 per cent lower risk of hospitalisation, 63 per cent lower risk of need for supplemental oxygen, and 60 per cent lower risk of developing severe Covid-19.

No evidence to suggest existing vaccines don't work on Omicron: Govt New Delhi, Dec 21: There is no evidence to suggest that existing Covid vaccines do not work on the Omicron variant, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday. "While there is no evidence to suggest that existing vaccines do not work on Omicron, some of the mutations reported on spike gene may decrease the efficacy of existing vaccines," he told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. Responding to a question on whether the vaccines being administered in the country are effective to develop immunity against the Omicron variant, he informed the house that there is limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or effectiveness to

date for Omicron. However, vaccine protection is also by antibodies as well as by cellular immunity, which is expected to be relatively better preserved. "Hence, vaccines are expected to still offer protection against severe disease and, vaccination with the available vaccines remains crucial," he emphasised. The Union Health Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday morning, said that the number of cases of new Covid strain Omicron has crossed the 200 -mark in India. However, out of them them, 77 patients have recovered or migrated. Meanwhile, it has asked all states and UTs to gear up against the Omicron variant as it is three times more transmissible than the Delta

IANS

variant, and formulate a strategy that can ensure infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state.

Scientists develop speedy Covid-19 test Sydney, Dec 22: Australian researchers have developed a test which can provide highly accurate readings for Covid-19 from a finger prick of blood within 20 minutes. The point-of-care (POC) test, created by scientists from the Burnet Institute and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, is the first of its kind in the world, according to the research unveiled on Wednesday. While many POC tests can measure the overall level of antibody to SARS-CoV-2 and use this to estimate neutralising antibodies (NAb), the researchers say their test is the only one to measure NAb activity, which correlates with immune protection for Covid, Xinhua news agency reported. Writing about their breakthrough in the journal EBioMedicine, the scientists note the versatile test can be adapted to provide information about whether a person has protective antibodies against a particular disease variant, such as Omicron. The rise of the Omicron variant, which early studies suggest may be up to 40 times less sensitive to patient NAb than Delta, means that some people will suddenly go from having adequate protective NAb, to not having enough. Burnet Institute deputy director Associate Professor David Anderson said the POC test could therefore be useful to quickly indicate when a vaccine booster was required. "One of the key elements of the test is that it can work with finger-prick whole blood, which is essential if it is really going to be used at

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point-of-care," Anderson said. "Another advantage is we have demonstrated that we can readily substitute different variants into the test. While we have not yet tested Omicron, this will be simple enough to incorporate in our test in place of the original strain or variants we have tested." It would also provide a standardised test to assist in the safe reopening of national and international borders in the context of different vaccines and the variable responses among various populations. The scientists expect that the test will become a new option for

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immunity screening to support vaccination and control programmes, particularly in time-critical situations and among impoverished or isolated communities where laboratory-based testing is difficult to access. Now in its prototype phase, the scientists are seeking commercial partners to develop the manufacturing process and take the test to an international market. Burnet Diagnostics Initiative (BDI) director Jennifer Barnes said the collaborative efforts of the two institutions had led to an outcome in "record time."

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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TRAVEL

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Haridwar's hidden gem, Pilibhit House

IANS

hink of Haridwar, and your first thoughts are of a pilgrimage destination. But beyond the temple visits there's a lot this city in the Shivalik range has to offer. A realm of tranquility, Pilibhit House sits charmingly by the Ganges overlooking the glorious Shivalik Himalayas. This heritage residence houses the largest private bathing ghat of the region for the customary dip and some quiet moments with the river. Tread past the arched doorway into this ancestral mansion, and the constructs of time & regulation melt away. You are led into artfully designed rooms and suites across 3 levels, that either face the open courtyard or offer views of the Ganges. In either case you stay pampered and blissful. For an authentic experience, check into the century old aristocratic mansion on the banks of the Ganges, a living heirloom and Haridwar’s most luxurious address. This noble house that belongs to Pilibhit’s first family since 1913, has been meticulously restored by IHCL SeleQtions. Guided by the traditional Indian

principle of Purusārtha, the 35 artfully restored rooms and graceful suites are wrapped around a serene courtyard, with balconies offering panoramic views of the Ganges and the Shivalik mountains. The alfresco seating ensures unmatched views. The luxury destination tailor makes experiences to your needs, whether you're travelling solo or with the family. From the welcome aarti till your departure, staff at the property customize the itinerary to ensure you're pampered from the moment you check in. Everything from a dip in the Ganges, to the sunset Aarti, cable car rides to hilltop temples, a trip to the Beatles ashram and traditional Gadwali cuisine are arranged with the utmost attention to detail. With the largest private bathing ghat in the city, one can enjoy a Ganga Aarti or Yoga at the Ganges Deck. As the Ganges calls, take a guided walk alongside the holy river, followed by the must have dip in the holy water and a meditation session. Complete the pilgrimage with visits to the Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples, via cable car, an adventure in itself.

A road trip away is the legendary Beatles ashram, where some of the band’s greatest hits were composed. On your return to the property indulge in the lavish high tea before you get to witness the aarti (prayer) at its private ghat (bank). The pandit invites you to be part of the memorable experience and partake in the divine blessings of the Ganges. If you like, you can even sign up for a astrology, palmistry or Navgrah puja at the hotel. Guests can also trace decades of their ancestry with a private session of genealogy. The other curated experiences that evoke Puruṣārthas - the four spiritual stages of life include Parthiv Snaan, an offbeat holy tour, trip to ashrams, a forest riverbed picnic. For those interested in wildlife and traveling with families, the Rajaji National Park is within a twenty minute drive from the hotel. If you’re lucky you can spot wild elephants, deer, leopards, rare bird sightings and maybe even a tiger or two. Your private safari also features high tea amidst the natural flaura and fauna so you can take in the jungle surroundings. A wetland tour of the Chiriyapur Forest Range is a

great option. On your return to the hotel rejuvenate with an invigorating therapy at the property’s Jiva Spa, with its age-old Indian healing techniques and finest natural ingredients, offring wellness and meditation with expert instructors. End your day indulging in traditional Gadwali cuisine. The Dining Room presents a delicious vegetarian range of international favourites and recipes from the royal kitchens of the ancestral family. The River Deck, Pool Deck by the Mango Tree and The Terrace also make for memorable dining spots. Celebrating the legacy of time and a sense of place, Pilibhit House brings to life the essence of Haridwar through its location, plush and tasteful decor, fluid service and Sattvik cuisine. Time honored rituals and curated experiences, make this ancestral haveli a soul-stirring address away from the chatter of city life. Celebrate the year end and make memories that last a lifetime with its exclusive offerings for the year end, celebrations are available starting at INR 29,000 + and will be available for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Making the holiday season merrier, it will feature traditional delicacies, a gingerbread house, baked goodies and more! To add to the revelry, along with their quintessential and whole sattvik food, they will be curating exclusive vegetarian barbeque grills, live food counters with piping hot kadhai milk and lots more! Along with that, a special live performance by Uttarakhand’s local band - The Threads is sure to warm hearts. Switch off from your hectic schedule and welcome a slower and reflective life. Pack your bags, get ready to celebrate with some Soul-itude, surrounded by the serenity of the Shivalik hills and your loved ones! For reservations, contact Pilibhit House at: +91 7217024116 or +91 7217024117

Radisson Hotel Group launches bold and unconventional brand

Radisson Hotel Group launches its first bold and stylish Radisson RED hotel in Chandigarh Mohali. The brand also prides itself on stylish public spaces with standout design, cutting-edge technology, and eclectic food experiences.

ith the opening of Radisson RED Chandigarh, Mohali, the Radisson Hotel Group launches its bold and unconventional brand, Radisson RED, in India. The hotel is first of 10 hotels slated to open in the market under the brand’s umbrella within the next three to five years, it caters to the needs of the new age travellers, with stylish properties situated in dynamic, urban and scenic locations. Offering guests endless opportunities to tune in and out – switching effortlessly between business and leisure. By incorporating art, music and fashion into its services and experiences along with an added focus on communal spaces such as bars and lobbies, digital customer service and bold colored interiors – Radisson RED is poised to set the benchmark for the future of contemporary hospitality. The brand also prides itself on stylish public spaces with standout design, cutting-edge technology, and eclectic food experiences. Speaking about this strategic expansion, Zubin Saxena, Managing Director and Vice President Operations, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group said, “We believe that the style-savvy and social Indian travelers will relate and enjoy the experiences and ambience that come with Radisson RED – a vibrant, unconventional and trendy brand. We appreciate the long-standing relationship with our strategic partner Bestech Group and the trust that they have demonstrated in the Radisson RED brand. As we launch into India with Radisson RED Chandigarh Mohali, we are confident of a stellar response and look to branch out even more in the www.indianabroad.news

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near future.” With a playful twist on the conventional, the property gives travelers the perfect balance between striking natural landscapes and a thriving business district as well as central access to Mohali, Chandigarh, and Panchkula. The design of the hotel is eclectic and bold portraying a new philosophy in the hospitality world. Touches of red on the walls, furniture and paraphernalia tie together the entire brand experience. Modern lighting, fun and interesting decor are identity traits intended to attract independent and savvy clientele. The common areas resemble art galleries, heavily decorated to create a chic and cool ambience. “It gives us great pleasure to open the first Radisson RED in the country as part of our strategic alliance with Radisson Hotel Group. The hotel is perfectly positioned to provide guests with a safe and inspiring environment including unique dining options and all of it draws inspiration from the local culture and experiences. We anticipate that this bold, playful and eclectic twist on conventional hospitality will resonate with Indian travellers looking for novelty,” said Mr. Dharmendra Bhandari, Managing Director, Bestech Group. With 154 rooms, guests can choose from four room categories including standard room, superior room, junior suite and executive suite. All rooms and suites are fitted with king-size beds, stylish furnishings, selfie spots, digital screens, and revitalizing amenities to ensure that guests have a fun experience.

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SPIRITUALITY & DEVOTION

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Pushti, Viraha and Virodha Bhakti: Approaches to Worship Krishna

By Paddy Krishnan hakti is described in the Puranas as the most direct and the simplest approach to be one with God. There are various types of Bhakti and here I will outline the following specific types. Pushti Bhakti based on devotion via happy joyous love of the Divine. Viraha Bhakti based on devotion that is derived from the pangs of separation with the Divine. Virodha Bhakti based on taking Viraha Bhakti to the next level by viewing the Divine as an enemy because the devotee feels abandoned. In all these situations the aim is to have a deep personal connection with the Divine. The idea of Pushti Bhakti was proposed by Vallabhacharya. Vallabhacharya noticed that most devotees worshipped God to achieve some personal benefit. This was not the intention of Bhakti. Hence he advocated devotion of Krishna in his child form. His idea was that Krishna when worshipped in this form as a child, the tendency to ask for personal benefits is reduced and one’s mind focuses on selfless service. A devotee typically behaves like a parent doing things for their children without expecting anything in

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return. There is no need to renounce work and one can enjoy the loving relationship with Krishna. This is also called Seva or service. Pure Seva requires the mind to be engrossed in Krishna while working. The analogy with a caring parent is emphasised. Parents, going about their daily chores, will still always be thinking of their child (e.g., are they sleeping well, are they awake). Pushti Bhakti does not require one to perform any rituals but always have Krishna in one’s mind while going about their daily life. As the mind is totally occupied by Krishna, it is also called Manasi Seva. All the fruits of one’s actions are devoted to Krishna just like a parent’s actions are for the child’s benefit. Devotees can worship Krishna with the offerings of music (singing for children), good food (feeding), clothes and ornaments (making the child look beautiful). The aim is provide a joyful atmosphere for one’s devotion (providing a happy environment for the child). A parent is always excited whenever the child does something new, be it something like saying their first word, or taking their first step. Similarly, a devotee following the Pushti path, will take great joy in simple things in life which are actions of baby Krishna. Also like one celebrates one’s child’s key milestones e.g., birthday, and graduation, Pushti Bhakti suggests that festivals to mark special occasions like birthdays, and special achievements like killing of demons should be celebrated with great pomp. Behaviours exhibited by a small child are not constrained by social norms. A child’s naughty behaviour is cute because it is not premeditated. Similarly, Krishna’s mischievous actions should be viewed as just spontaneous pranks and not the act of a grown up or one with divine power. Mother Yashoda punishing baby Krishna is also similar to a parent chastising a small child. Here the divine nature of Krishna

is not relevant. A child, even if it is the divine, can be chastised for bad behaviour. In summary Pushti Bhakti is selfless actions without ulterior expectation of benefits. The sole aim is to ensure happiness of God. The focus is on service (seva) instead of worship (pooja). It is all about indulging the Divine via one’s usual life without expecting anything in return. Although Vallabhacharya’s Pushtimarg (the path of Pushti) was open to all, these days there is a more formal procedure to be initiated into this path. Only direct descendents of Vallabhacharya are authorised to initiate others. The purpose of initiation is to formalise the direct relationship between the devotee and Krishna. But this goes against the idea Pushti Bhakti which is open to all. Of course, one can practice Pushti Bhakti without being part of Pushtimarg. A true devotee would not really care if they are initiated. The next type of devotion is Viraha Bhakti. Here the devotion is not via service but by the longing generated for a lover who has been away for a long period of time. Some have argued this is the best form of devotion as one is always thinking about the Divine (usually Krishna) and wondering when he will come. Mirabai, who is perhaps the best known follower of Viraha Bhakti, was deemed to be madly devoted to Krishna as she missed him all the time. Viraha Bhakti can be linked to Pushti Bhakti in two ways. The first is the feeling of separation when the parent goes away and baby is missing the parent. The second is when the child goes missing and is missed by the parent. In both cases there is a singular focus (either of the parent or the child). This is resolved only when the child and parent are united. Viraha Bhakti is, therefore, love/ concern resulting from separation.

Viraha Bhaktas pine for Krishna to return and be present with them. An interesting aspect is that Krishna deliberately withdraws from the devotees to increase their level of devotion (although it could be painful). An example of this is when Krishna is with the Gopis who want to be with him all the time. But then he suddenly disappears and Gopis wonder if Krishna will ever be back to sing and dance with them. Their suffering is so intense that they lose hope of ever seeing Krishna again. This makes them completely devoted to Krishna. So Viraha Bhakti is devotion that is demonstrated by suffering caused by intense longing. Although the Gopis are married, they still long for Krishna without shame. This is an example of love for the Divine that transcends normal love between humans. At the end Krishna does return to the Gopis who realise that he actually never left them as he was always in their mind and thus the basis of their existence. Virodha Bhakti is an extreme form of Viraha Bhakti. Here the longing is so exaggerated that one starts hating the Divine for not showing up. It is the rage that could develop with unrequited love. This hatred results in questioning one’s devotion to Krishna and one will wonder if one should worship another God. One could develop contempt of Krishna. One says, enough is enough and it is time to move on. Virodha Bhakti is not restricted to Krishna. Sundaramurty Nayanar, a devotee of Shiva, calls Shiva a madman and suggests that Shiva does not care for his devotees. This is similar to when a child is angry with one’s parent and suggesting that they would be better off without the parent. The key point is that even one is full of rage, one is thinking of the Divine. The Maharashtrian saint Eknath has written many poems which are critical of Krishna. For instance, he calls Krishna a cheat for

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his actions during the Mahabharata war, and suggests that Krishna only brings destruction because he killed his own uncle. Such writings are called Ninda Stuti or writings that criticise God. In the long run, the intense hatred results in questioning one’s own actions as that could be root cause of Krishna being absent for so long. In Viraha Bhakti one will ask to be united with Krishna, while in Virodha Bhakti one will ask often for the separation to continue. In Virodha Bhakti one will push Krishna away as one is not worthy of being with him. Eknath, in the end, realises that he cannot push Krishna away as everything he does is because of Krishna. It was his own ignorance that led him to believe that Krishna was not with him. Virodha Bhakti is

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transformed into Viraha Bhakti. All three forms of Bhakti lead to intense personal and emotional connection between the devotees and Krishna. In Pushti Bhakti, Krishna is a baby, in Viraha Bhakti Krishna is someone who is very close to oneself and Virodha Bhakti Krishna is one’s enemy. The aim is to move away from fearing God to actually loving God. The aim is not to seek Moksha in the Vedantic sense but to enjoy Krishna by including him in all aspects of life thus enjoying his bliss. Paddy Krishnan is a computer scientist, who got his BTech degree from IIT-Kanpur and PhD from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Being very interested in Hindu philosophy, he maintains a blog at www. goldcoasthindu.wordpress com

ART & CULTURE

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Depicting 'Devi' through folk & tribal Jaipur designer couple's modern art, calendar art and lobby cards print pays ode to architecture IANS

n exhibition titled 'Devi -- depicted through folk and tribal art, calendar art, and lobby cards -- curated by Seema Bhalla was inaugurated at the Kamaladevi Complex in India International Centre in the national capital on Friday. On till December 29, it shows various manifestations of the goddess, as represented in art from different periods, regions and mediums. A striking wooden sculpture, representing the 'Village Devi', a wooden bust of the 'Devi' as the protector from snakes, both from Karnataka, and an early Bengal school oil on canvas, depicting 'Mahishasur Mardini', are just a few among many other exhibits representing the goddess. 'Devi' has been a popular theme in Indian cinema and the viewers often mistake the actors as real divinity and rever them with the same emotion and sentiment as they experienced in the temples. The exhibition includes some of the 'lobby cards' of the movies based on goddesses. As a mark of respect, women in India are addressed as 'Devi', and the term has been part of the dialogues in the Indian classic cinema where the woman, regardless of her background, is addressed as 'Devi'. The exhibition covers this aspect of usage that, once, was an ethical part of Indian society. In the entire history of Indian art, woman has been the subject of worship, considered as the disguised form of goddesses. She remained a consistently favoured motif, even though the approach to its form and content has varied extensively in both time and space. Hence, she is portrayed in art in different forms and dimensions. Out of her several aspects, she is revered most sacredly as a 'Devi', whose worship can be traced to a very remote past, almost 5,000 years old. Seema Bhalla said, "The inspiration for this special exhibit, 'Devi', is female power. Indian art has always viewed the woman with reverence and depicted her in a very powerful manner. 'Devi' shines the light on this important theme through exquisite works from across the country: Striking Bhuta sculptures from Karnataka, wooden arches with Gajalakshmi carved on them, a three-feet high sculpture of Shiva and Parvati seated on the bull, an early Bengal school oil on canvas painting of 'Mahishasur Mardini', handprinted 'Mata ni Pachedi' textile from Rajasthan."

IANS

Jaipur-based designer couple, known for their passion to experiment, has come up with a design that pays ode to architecture by embedding it in modern print. The designer-architect couple from the Pink City, Ayush and Geetanjali Kasliwal, who won the UN Seal of Excellence thrice, has unveiled 'Naksha', a clothing line expressing the new face of modern block printing as an interpretation of architecture on wearables. Naksha refers to a plan that entails the story of Indo-Persian architecture. The collection revisits the ancient concept of journey towards paradise. Elevated from 'HashtBihisht' (The Floor Plan), the eight Paradise plans are transformed into a modern print, alive with striking colours and intricate patterns, hand-blocked in ancient techniques, said designer Ayush Kasliwal. "I felt the need for a well-designed, affordable, new face of modern block print range, connecting to Indian culture and providing means of livelihood to the artisans," Ayush said. His wife, Geetanjali, added: "In today's fast-fashion world, to have timeless, crafted, meaningful garments that can be worn in different ways, is a must for a design-conscious generation." "The Naksha range is an ode to architecture," she said, adding,

"The range defines architecture influencing fashion to express the unconventional in you. With Naksha, you can add a piece of paradise to your home." The designer-architect couple has been inspired by Indo-Persian architecture. Beautifully hand-blocked by local craftsmen of Jaipur, this range is restoration of ancient crafts, said

Geetanjali. Practicing traditional techniques of block printing, this range brings a contemporary outlook to the conceptual and ethical range, which continues to script the tale of handcrafted fashion legacy that has been making a mark across the globe since years, she added.

Prinseps to host Gobardhan Ash auction, the first NFT auction in India

IANS

rinseps auction house is set to host the Gobardhan Ash Live Auction, offering 35 rare works on paper from the family estate alongside 35 accompanying NFTs. The auction will open for live bidding on January 14, 2022 at 7 pm, representing the first time an Indian auction house enters the NFT (non-fungible token) space. The Gobardhan Ash Auction re-creates the second exhibition of the Progressive Artists' Group and Calcutta Group, 1950, in which Gobardhan Ash presented a series of gouache works alongside F.N. Souza, M.F. Husain and S.H. Raza, among others. The bright and eclectic modern images painted by Ash for the exhibition, and now offered for auction, perfectly capture the milieu of the time presenting modernist interpretations of everyday people or animals. Ash's art from the 1950s showcases his individuality alongside his characteristic technique and presents impeccable character studies such as the painting 'Mother and Son' of 1948 (estimate Rs 30,000-1,50,000). These experiments in art are what can be characterised as today's avatars, i.e., 'primitive' artworks depicting personality traits, or

graphical representations of a user, making them ideal for transformation into an NFT and continuing Ash's artistic experimentation into the 21st Century. The auction will offer each of Ash's physical works on paper, immediately followed by its accompanying digital versions offered as NFTs minted on the Ethereum blockchain. All 35 of the works on paper carry an estimate of Rs 30,000-1,50,000, and the NFTs are estimated at RS 1,000-25,000, offering accessible prices to newer collectors exploring the NFT market for the first time. The key works include 'Tribhanga', which depicts a common stance in traditional Indian art and popular

Indian dance forms such as Odissi; 'FA-HI-AN', which depicts an avatar of a Chinese Buddhist monk who travelled by foot from China to India to study Buddhist texts; and 'Mosgul', which depicts a man lost in thought and was exhibited in the joint exhibition of the Calcutta Group and the Progressive Artists' Group, 1950. Speaking about the upcoming auction, Prinseps curator Indrajit Chatterjee said, "Ash's paintings struck me as bearing a resemblance to the crypto punks movement, but from seven decades earlier. We are delighted to be presenting what we see today as an avatar, painted in Ash's unique and primitive watercolours more than 70 years ago. These works will also represent the first NFTs offered on the market by an Indian auction house." Following the Gobardhan Ash Auction, Prinseps will host a no reserve nationalism book auction in January, offering a collection of rare and mostly first edition books ranging from the pre-independence to the post-independence era in India, written and signed by revolutionary leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and V.K. Krishna Menon.

A three-day 'Jashn' of Indian arts

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he second phase of the 10th edition of three-day 'Jashn-eAdab' Hindi and Urdu poetry festival was inaugurated on Friday at the India International Centre (IIC) in the national capital. The event will witness street plays, 'Mehfil-E-Mushaira', Sur Sangat classical instrumental performance, classical dance and ghazal performances, qawwali, 'Baitbazi' - game of Urdu poetry, and 'Kavi Sammelan'. The participants include Ashok Chakradhar, Malini Awasthi (singer), Alok Mehta (journalist), Raghubir Yadav (actor), Vijay Raaz (actor), Faizal Malik (actor and producer), Akhtarul Wasey (scholar), Sharad Dutt (writer), Yatindra Mishra (poet), Khalid Javed (Urdu novelist), Asghar Wajahat (author and playwright), Salma Sultan (journalist), Mahesh Garg Bedhadak (poet), Arvind Gaur (theatre director), Junaid Sultani (qawwal), Shakeel Ahmad (ghazal singer), RJ Naved and Kunwar Ranjeet Chauhan (poet). Talking about the festival, Kunwar Ranjeet Chauhan, secretary and founder of Jashn-e-Adab Foundation, said, "Indian literature, poetry, dance, theatre and music have a lot to offer. What we need is to take out a little time to connect and absorb. Every person can find something for themselves in Indian

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art, it is not only enriching but also great entertainment. Since the time Jashn-e-Adab was started, a lot of

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youngsters want to get connected with the festival."

LITERATURE

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Changing 'UP waala bhaiya' slur to Trailer rolls out for 'Harry Potter 20th badge of honour: Yogi's biographer Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts' on UP transformation H IANS

IANS

ogi Adityanath's biographer Shantanu Gupta, having made waves with his bestselling 'The Monk Who Became Chief Minister', returns with a new title 'The Monk Who Transformed Uttar Pradesh' published by Garuda Prakashan. The book meticulously details how Yogi Adityanath transformed Uttar Pradesh as Chief Minister, in various aspects like law and order, air and road connectivity, education, health infrastructure, electricity, industrial growth, agriculture and other important aspects. The book carries a foreword by T.V. Mohandas Pai, ex-director of Infosys and chairman of Aarin Capital. Pai writes: "When Yogi Adityanath took over as CM, Lutyens Delhi -- the name by which the power structure and supporters of the ancient regime are known -- exploded in anger and derision. They questioned his capability to be CM, abused him roundly, and predicted the total failure of his regime. They forget that he was a 5-time MP, a person of great accomplishment as an MP going by his track record in Parliament, had toured most districts of UP and knew the living conditions of the people of UP more than any of his critics." The author, Shantanu Gupta, goes

on to explain that governance under the SP and BSP governments institutionalized three things in UP's politics -- goonda raj, widespread corruption and a high degree of nepotism. "Corruption became part of the basic grammar of UP. All development indices of UP remained abysmally low during those years, apart from the crime numbers, which always soared. Only industry, which was getting benefited from Uttar Pradesh in those years, was Bollywood ï¿½ which drew inspiration for many of its criminal thriller sequences from UP, where Mulayam Singh Yadav had in-famously defended heinous rapists, saying -- "Ladke Hain, Galti Ho Jati Hai" (Boys, do commit some small mistakes sometimes)," he writes. The arguments in the book are backed by hard facts -- the massive administrative changes that Yogi brought in UP's work culture, how he overhauled policing in UP, how he electrified a dark Uttar Pradesh with the motto 'Sabko Bijli, Paryapt Bijli aur Nirbadh Bijli', how UP became an expressway state under Yogi's regime and how industries, prosperity and jobs are returning to UP under Yogi. Having chronicled how Yogi changed the perception of Uttar

Pradesh as an un-developed, uneducated, corrupt, lawless and 'Bimaru' state to a transformed and progressive Uttar Pradesh, the author also showcases Yogi's merit-based education system versus Akhilesh Yadav's cheating-based system, the story of Yogi's One-DistrictOne-Medical-College mission to his Covid management, how Yogi's massive pro-farmer steps rendered so-called farmer protests irrelevant, the cultural renaissance of UP under Yogi government and finally, how the duo of Modi-Yogi brought welfare for the poor in UP. "Uttar Pradesh was disparaged as 'bimaru' and known for governance based on identity politics rather than all-around development, Sabka Vikas. Shantanu Gupta's book is an important contribution to how an effective leader, rooted in India's ancient ethos while looking for apt solutions for contemporary times, can bring real change," says Sankrant Sanu, founder and CEO of Garuda Prakashan. Many prominent scholars and journalists have applauded the book on social media platforms ï¿½ Sr Advisor to I&B Ministry Kanchan Gupta, Author and CIC Uday Mahurkar, Author Harsh Madhusudan, USA Congressional candidate Ritesh Tondon, to name a few. In Book discussion organized by Overseas friends of BJP for the diaspora in 13 cities of Europe Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP's Foreign cell head Vijay Chauthaiwale and Author Shantanu shared their thoughts. Sudhanshu Trivedi applauded his college junior Shantanu's work and added that Uttar Pradesh has seen a sea of positive change in Yogi Adityanath's tenure. "Today the same UP has become second in Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ranking leaving many industrialized states behind. Under Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has become the second largest state of India in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), surging ahead of even the industrialized states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh has doubled the per capita income of its citizens -- from Rs 43,000 per year in 2015-16, when the SP was in power, to Rs 95,000 a year in 2021. Institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), IIT Kanpur, Niti Aayog and the Mumbai High Court praised Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath over his Covid-19 management and the way the Yogi government handled the state in the first and second wave. In fact, Australian MP Craig Kelly was so impressed with Yogi Adityanath's handling of Covid that he publicly requested for Yogi Adityanath to be loaned to Australia for some time to manage Covid in his country," adds the author.

Kafeel Khan's book on Gorakhpur tragedy, his journey

afeel Khan, the doctor embroiled in the August 2017 Gorakhpur hospital incident controversy, has written a book on the subject. Titled, "The Gorakhpur Hospital Tragedy, A Doctor's Memoir of a Deadly Medical Crisis", the memoir presents Khan's version of the incident and subsequent developments that have kept him on the firing line ever since. "My book is an honest, heartfelt account of the terrible events of 10 Aug 2017 and after. I dedicate it to all the parents who lost their children in the tragedy. This book is dedicated to those 63 children and 18 adults," says Khan. "I thought of giving readers facts and evidence. This is not only the story about me. It is about kids and adults who died, and about families who are waiting for justice." The book, claims Khan, has stories that expose the system's failures and exposes "real culprits". The Gorakhpur hospital tragedy took place on August 7, 2017 when

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oxygen disruption eld to the death of 63 children. Khan relates the "gut-wrenching turmoil that followed - a suspension without end, an eight-month-long incarceration and a relentless fight for justice in the face of extreme apathy and persecution". When asked if the book is timed keeping in mind the Uttar Pradesh elections, Khan said that he has been writing the book for a long time. "The most important point the book talks about is the broken health system. The system collapsed. It also talks about doctors' struggle. The poor and the marginalised community depend on public hospitals. I have talked about the public health system." Born in Gorakhpur, Khan had completed his MBBS and MD from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, in Karnataka. He was suspended from Baba Raghav Das Medical College's Nehru Hospital after the August 2017 incident.

With jail terms in between and after a long legal battle, Khan was terminated from service in November this year. There are still cases pending against him in various courts.

BO Max has released the much-anticipated preview of "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts", its upcoming special that will reunite the actors and filmmakers from the eight-movie series, which will stream on January 1. The only person missing from the reunion will be J.K. Rowling, the author of the books on which the films were based. Rowling has been under attack for remarks she had made about the trans community a year ago after retweeting an op-ed article on "people who menstruate". The multi-millionaire author now claims to be a victim of the 'cancel culture' and calls herself a TERF -- or "trans exclusionary radical feminist". "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", which kicked off the film arm of the Wizarding World, was released in November 2001 -- and the special will commemorate the franchise's 20th anniversary, reports 'Variety'. "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts", which will reunite actors Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, was taped at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. It will feature other talent from the movies, including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams,

Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis and Evanna Lynch. Filmmakers David Heyman, Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yates will also make appearances. The trailer, according to 'Variety', features the cast reminiscing about the movies, as well as festivities in

the Great Hall. Watson says, "It feels like no time has passed -- and loads of time has passed." Radcliffe says that something that had scared him was "the implication that the most meaningful thing in our life was done", and that seeing everyone is "joyous", he realises "it wasn't though".

Outnumbered Portuguese fled at the sight of Indian Army

The Hans India

night at either of my grandmothers' houses was always magical, not the least due to the absence of electricity in Goan villages. One or two powerful petromaxes were lit in the main hall and dining room, and kerosene lamps all around the house, but usually not in the front veranda. When we sat there in the darkness at a certain time of the year, pirilampos or fireflies would light up the night. Father would trap some and show them to me (without harming them in the least), in a white handkerchief rolled like a balloon until it looked like a flickering greenish electric light bulb. Of course, he would free them in the garden after a few illuminated minutes. Tonight the oil lamps, and even the powerful ever-hissing petromaxes inside the house were not bright enough to dispel the gloom and anxiety everyone was feeling in the lampless veranda. 'Guerra!' screamed the darkness. 'Guerra!' screamed the sinister silhouettes of the coconut trees against the cold, starry December sky. 'Guerra!' screamed the bats flying blindly around the fruit trees. But the soft worried whispers of the adults around me screamed the loudest of all. The next morning we woke up to the sound of distant explosions. Somehow they were more bearable, but still ominous, in the bright daylight of the village than they would have been the night before. The explosions were few and far between. There was no means of knowing what exactly they signified; I think the one and only local Portuguese radio station, Emissora de Goa, had been silenced by the Indian Army. Telephones only existed in the cities, and might have been silenced too. Here in Parra one banked on someone passing by on his way back from Mapusa for news. But on this day there was no one outdoors. We could only imagine the fierce, bloody fighting that was going on far away between the Portuguese and Indian armies. Who was winning? Who was losing? I think it was in the late afternoon that the explosions stopped. We learnt later that the bombs were not signs of fighting at all. That the Portuguese, totally outnumbered, had fled at the very first sight of the immense and well-equipped Indian Army. The explosions we heard were the Portuguese blowing up bridges behind them as they retreated, to try and prevent the Indian Army from catching up. Legend goes that (Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio) Salazar, who was

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rumoured never to have set foot outside Portugal, and therefore never to have had personal contact with (or love for) any of its numerous colonies, had ordered the then Portuguese Governor General of Goa, Manuel Antonio Vassalo e Silva, to follow a 'scorched earth policy' and raze Goa to the ground, and to fight to the death rather than surrender. "What a mean, treacherous man!" said indignant Goans who had hitherto been loyal to the Portuguese. "Like a spoilt brat who can't play with a toy, and would rather smash it than return it to the owner!" Vassalo e Silva, who had developed a great love and fondness for Goa and Goans during his years of governance here, for once disobeyed his dictatorial master and saved Goa from fire and damnation. And so, upon his repatriation to Portugal, Salazar promptly court-martialled and jailed him. When the Salazar regime finally fell twelve long years later, and diplomatic relations between Portugal and India were resumed, one of the first things the freshly-released Vassalo e Silva did was to return to his beloved Goa as a state guest of the Government of India. Besides a warm welcoming committee, made up of people who knew what he had stood up against for the sake of Goa, a few politically misguided elements received the old man of eighty with black banners and protests at the airport. If they only knew that he had saved Goa from total

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destruction, and had paid for it with twelve years in jail... But ignorance is always at the root of all hatred and intolerance. Driving back to Panjim from Parra a few days after the 'war' was a lesson in relief. If we had feared we would see the city war-ravaged, or even transformed a bit because it was now under Indian rule, we had feared in vain: there was no change whatsoever. I, who had secretly hoped that our school had been bombed, was most disappointed to find out it hadn't. However, there was something to be awed by and to marvel at after all: the huge tanks, guns and war vehicles which the Indian Army paraded regularly around the capital, making our houses tremble with their rumble. And my first sighting of a Sikh soldier. I had never seen men so big, long-bearded and turbaned. They fascinated me, even though they caused apprehension in the beginning. They were after all the 'enemy' whom we had dreaded for so long before D-Day. After the first one smiled at me and my worries were laid to rest, I joined the rest of the kids in my neighbourhood in competing for who would shake hands with the biggest number of Indian soldiers in a day as they patrolled in front of our houses. (Excerpted from REMO - The Autobiography of Remo Fernandes, with the permission of the publisher, HarperCollins Publishers India)

BEAUTY

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

All you need to know about skin fasting

Why you need HD Makeup IANS

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atural skincare around traditional methods is back in vogue. Skin fasting, is also trending, but so you know what it is? Do you need it? For how long should you fast? We got an expert to give us all the details. Read on: A natural skin cleanser or an all-natural anti-ageing cream: your skin will let you know what to use and when to use it. Like all beauty and natural skincare formulas, skin fasting also depends on the type of skin you have. Understand these pros and cons and choose what you need—fasting or dieting. What is skin fasting? Skin fasting means keeping your skin off of any product. Skin fasting is not a new but a traditional natural skincare concept that is in the spotlight owing to social media. It gives time to your skin to figure out what it truly needs. But skin fasting may not suit everyone. Even people with normal skin types need to maintain basic skin hygiene with a cleanser and a moisturizer. Beauty experts and social media celebs discuss it regularly. Go for Skin Dieting It is a more promising concept. It does not restrict you from using basic hygiene like cleansing and moisturizing. You can stop using other products and still see a difference in your skin. The plus is that you will not face other skincare issues that may arise due to improper hygiene or cleansing and dryness due to lack of moisturization.

After your skin-dieting is over, you may feel the need to get yourself the best face mask for glowing skin or an all-natural anti-ageing cream. You can also find out if you can survive only on a great cleanser and moisturizer. Skin dieting routine according to your skin type: If you frequently encounter dust, wind, sun, rain, and pollution, traditional skin-fasting (using zero products) would lead to a build-up of impurities on your skin that can reach deeper if not cleansed. It can lead to multiple breakouts and dead skin. Since skin dieting allows you to use essential products your skin needs, you can avoid such issues. What to stop and what to use depends on your skin type, health, outside exposure and how long you have been doing it. Oily skin: If you regularly fight excess oil and acne, fast your skin from cosmetics and use only one or two products that keep your skin clean and moisturized. It can just be a natural skin cleanser and moisturizer. After a few weeks, when your skin is relaxed, you will be ready to try out the best serum for acne-prone skin. You can also experience reduced acne when you stop using multiple cosmetics on your skin. Dry skin: You can use a gentle skin cleanser and moisturizer to keep your skin from drying out completely and avoid flaky and dead skin. Such conditions lead to early skin

ageing and a dull appearance. After completing your skin fasting period, you can figure out what your skin needs or doesn't need. Normal to combination skin: Your skin also needs to turn away from unwanted substances found in most beauty products. They may harm your skin in the long run. Since you don't have extreme skin types, you can try skin fasting or dieting. It depends on how your skin reacts to it. A basic mild cleanser is still advised. After a few days, if your skin starts to look dull, you might want to try out the best face mask for glowing skin. Skin concerns: For example, if you want to fight skin ageing, don't diet your skin for a long time. You need one week to relax and then find an all-natural anti-ageing cream that suits your skin type and will help tighten your skin, reduce fine lines effectively and even tone it for a more youthful look. It can also be possible that certain cosmetics and skincare products you use are currently affecting your skin's health. Other than external factors and your skincare routine, many habits might be harming your skin, like your sleeping pattern, food oils, etc. It would help if you kept them in check. You can also refer to their guide to create the perfect natural skincare routine. Experts suggest that after completing skin fasting, you care for your skin using safer products. When people share their experiences with them, they long to share them with you because sharing helps a lot. Think of them as reviews. Start slow, follow the 3R formula: Reduce, Relax and Renew Reduce the number of products gradually, starting with cosmetics and adding serums, creams, oils, etc. After reaching a minimum number of products, wait for the results, visible instantly or after a week. Do not wait for months. Accordingly, renew your natural skincare routine. Introduce your skin to safer substances. These can be plant-based skincare products like vegan and natural ones. Start with a natural skin cleanser and moisturizer, moving on to the other products tackling your specific skin concerns one by one.

akeup helps you cover your flaws and makes you feel absolutely confident about yourself. We’re all very familiar with the word "makeup." However, the term "HD Makeup" is something most people do not know about. What is HD Makeup? The entry of high-definition cameras posed a threat to all the makeup artists since the lenses in high-definition cameras captured and recognised the presence of wrinkles, blemishes, and scars effortlessly. This is exactly the time when the concept of HD makeup, or rather, high definition makeup, came into existence. This kind of makeup usually gives a flawless and natural, non-cakey look. How is it different from regular makeup? The only difference between regular and HD makeup are the products used. The products used while doing HD makeup are high-end, and the products used are lighter in texture and give better coverage, which is generally preferred for the camera. The makeup also blends

in seamlessly, eliminating the scars that tend to be visible when regular makeup is done. This kind of makeup doesn’t look unnatural or fake either. Which tools and products are for HD Makeup? HD makeup is done using brushes and blending sponges that are designed in a way that scatters light falling on the skin, which in turn gives a smooth and soft look. The key here is to blend the products perfectly well to get that natural, even-textured, and flawless-looking skin. Consider using a foundation or concealer designed for HD filming. This is often where you see the most impact. Plus, focusing on your skin tone means you can also get away with wearing less makeup. My personal favourite is Makeup Forever HD foundation. How to apply HD Makeup like a pro? There is one pro tip for any makeup application that I can share with you all, and that is to make sure everything is well blended. Your foundation should not show a line between

your face and neck. There should be no sharp or harsh lines on your eyelids. Even your lipstick should look smooth. Any imperfections will look much more noticeable in 4K, so you need to blend as much as possible. And the right way to do this is to find the right shade of foundation that matches your skin, and also, don’t forget to prep your skin. What are the benefits of HD Makeup? HD makeup is beneficial because it helps hide all the flaws visible on your skin and gives you that natural, non-dramatic look. It is usually preferred by professional models and actors because of the results it tends to offer. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to have perfect-looking, naturally glowing skin after doing their makeup, right? That glow will be very evident even in pictures since the makeup looks and feels absolutely smooth. You end up having a blemish-free-looking face. Pooja Sethiya, an International Makeup- Artist specializing in prosthetics, SFX & HD makeup.

younger and glowing skin. It is suitable for all skin types and has a lightweight texture. It keeps your skin looking younger and reduces the impact of environmental exposure. Exfoliating Serum: Gentle yet effective, the Exfoliating Serum is all you need to rejuvenate your skin and glow with an even skin tone. This serum is formulated with eight potent AHA’s that help control excess oil and sebum production. The presence of natural ingredients like Thanaka Wood Powder, Papaya Extract and Lemon Juice helps in getting rid of dead skin cells keeping the skin moist with a blemish-free complexion. The serum acts as a great exfoliator and has a lightweight texture. Suitable for all skin types. Bluelight Repair Serum: Our skin is highly exposed to screens, pollution and sun rays these days. The allnew Anti-Photoaging Serum helps protect the skin from all these and also works wonders in repairing and rejuvenating the skin. The serum comes with the advantage of repairing the damage caused by environmental factors and gives a brighter-looking skin, free from dark spots, scars, and hyperpigmentation. Suitable for all skin types this serum has a very lightweight gel-based texture. Its ingredients have been clinically tested to increase dermal density by 38% and decrease skin water loss by 67% if used religiously

for 28 days. Acne Clarifying Serum: Nourish Mantra’s Acne Clarifying Serum is the ideal solution for clear & smooth skin. Blended with modern science & natural ingredients it balances the skin’s natural sebum level, reduces inflammation and acne marks, and restores its elasticity. The serum easily absorbs oily skin as well and goes deep to reduce sebum secretion, reduces acne scars and prevents future breakouts. The revitalizing formula leaves the skin nourished and moisturized without feeling greasy. Glow Serum: Who doesn’t wish for their skin to look less tired and dull? This Glow Serum helps your face get a radiance boost. Potent ingredients like Kakadu Plum Extracts, Ascorbic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid work wonderfully to produce collagen which in turn brightens the dull, damaged and pigmented skin. The ingredients in this serum have been clinically tested to increase skin hydration by 17% for up to 48 hours after one single application. Put together with natural & modern ingredients this lightweight serum hydrates and revitalizes your skin. Nourish Mantra’s revitalizing serums are suitable for all skin types and are 100% vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. These products are available within the price range of 1400 INR at www.nourishmantra.in

High-performing serums IANS

Battle ageing witha A Aror

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Malaika

ctress Malaika Arora has been appointed Brand Ambassador for Lotus Herbals YouthRx. One of India's largest natural beauty care firms, has named the Bollywood diva Malaika Arora the face of its YouthRx line of natural, anti-aging skincare products. Malaika will appear in multiplatform commercials across TV, digital, and OTT platforms, beginning on December 15, 2021. With the goodness of Ginger and Ginseng blended into a groundbreaking Gineplex Youth compound, the range of skin care products that are a full natural solution for battling the symptoms of ageing. The brand positioning would emphasise on ageing as a natural process and the benefits of utilising anti-aging skin care products packed with potent natural ingredients throughout its two-year partnership with Malaika. Malaika exemplifies the brand's vision with her commitment to a healthy lifestyle, gorgeous skin and well toned body. Commenting on the association, Nitin Passi, Joint Managing Director, Lotus Herbals, says: "Lotus Herbals Youth Rx symbolises green beauty and our scientifically researched natural product line redefines the anti-ageing category." We are glad that we have such a stunning celebrity endorser who resonates with the brand's ethos and values. Actress Malaika Arora elaborates, "I am delighted to associate with Lotus Herbals YouthRx since their products are free from parabens and artificial preservatives, are non-toxic to the environment and are tested on Indian skin." These wonderful products are all you need for radiant, firm, hydrated, youthful-looking skin. My need for younger and healthy-looking skin has finally been met”.

kincare enthusiasts, get ready to elevate your skincare routine as Nourish Mantra announces their all-new range of 5 face serums. Thoughtfully curated with natural and vegan ingredients these serums make your skincare ritual a nourishing one. Nourish Mantra serums target skincare issues like acne, ageing, pigmentation, dryness and dullness. The serum range includes- Youth Restoration Serum, Exfoliating Serum, Bluelight Repair Serum, Acne Clarifying Serum and Glow Serum. These serums are perfectly made to nourish, protect, hydrate and make your skin feel youthful like never before! In the words of Ritika Jayaswal, Founder and CEO, Nourish Mantra, “We now introduce a new range of powerful, high-performing serums for all those who seek targeted solutions. These gender-neutral serums infuse advanced scientific formulations into everyday skincare to tackle modern-day skin issues. Marking our entry into the arena of serums after several years of planning and research, we hope it will delight the users with its performance. The all-new face serums have 5 variants: Youth Restoration Serum: Enriched with a powerful combination of Bakuchiol Seed Oil, Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid, this anti-ageing serum is a wondrous journey to

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FASHION

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Indian fashion is A-OK! NetIndia

By Sujata Assomull eliance Brands Limited's investment into Anamika Khanna’s AK-OK, says corporate India is finally ready to say it’s A-OK to look beyond bridal fashion. It has been quite a year for Indian fashion with Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani, Manish Malhotra and Ritu Kumar all receiving corporate investments. Most of these labels are known primarily for their bridalwear, a market we all know flourishes in India. Now Anamika Khanna can add her name to this list. However, her buyout speaks about a shift with the industry. It points to changing consumption styles and a niche sophisticated fashion audience that corporate India sees the need to cater to. If there is one designer who has defined Indian contemporary fashion, it has to be Anamika Khanna. Her label is over two decades old, and the Kolkata-based designer prefers to stay under the radar, always letting her work do the talking. You can credit Khanna for making the cape a de rigueur part of an Indian women’s wardrobe, she gave the dhoti a modern twist and there is still no one who can rival her label’s zardozi. Anamika made clothes that were Indian and yet had a global feel.

Sonam Kapoor has worn her label at Cannes several times, and many Indian fashion editors wear her designs while attending fashion weeks in Paris and Milan. Within the industry she is loved; designers ranging from Gaurav Gupta to Masaba Gupta have spoked about her talent, and how she has been an inspiration. So, a few weeks ago, when Reliance Brands Limited (RBL) announced that they were buying stakes in two homegrown brands Manish Malhotra and Ritu Kumar, rumours were rife that Anamika Khanna was next on their list. What no-one expected was that RBL had its eyes on her three-year-old ready to wear brand, AK-OK. The timing of this announcement is interesting as it comes hot on the heels of the Tasva launch, the menswear pret label by Aditya Birla Fashion Retail Limited (ABFRL) and Tarun Tahiliani. ABFRL bought a stake in the Tarun Tahiliani label earlier this year. With men's kurtas starting at Rs. 1,599, Tasva plans to open 70 stores, taking Tahiliani, a label primarily known for woman’s bridal couture into a new market. As the designer himself put it, “it is about complete accessibility of pricing.” And the only way fashion can become inclusive is by being more democratic, especially in a country as large as India. Anamika Khanna though, is clearly still trying to be a little exclusive, as her message is a different one to that of Tasva. AK-OK prices are much easier on the wallet than her main brand-- you can expect to spend Rs. 30,000 on an ensemble from this label. So, for many this is still not accessible. The pieces are very much still investment buys made of silks and include embroidery details, with a complete feel of luxury. A better term to describe them would perhaps be diffusion wear. RBL now owns a 60 per cent of AK-OK, and Khanna will remain at the creative helm. AK-OK was a label, the designer started with her twin boys Viraj and Vishesh,

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while she was going through some health issues. Unlike her earlier attempts at more accessible fashion, this one seemed to hit all the right style notes. The label is currently available in her own stores, on her own e-commerce website, as well as leading multi brand boutiques. Says Khanna, “AK-OK is not just another fashion brand, it has the potential to stand for a life-style – a capsule of beautiful objects that bring joy to the modern, conscious consumer.” They are investment buys for the discerning client. The silhouettes are experimental while having more of a lounge feel to them, than her couture label, while staying true to Anamika Khanna’s design aesthetic. Even after this partnership with RBL, the Khannas' are not talking

about either the number of stores they will open, nor about pricing, but only about making beautiful clothes, for women of all shapes, sizes and ages. Clothes with an Indian soul one want's to keep forever. RBL's president-chief executive officer Darshan Mehta has not really spoken about strategy or statics but instead says, “For me what sets this unique brand apart is that it is an outcome of a strong insight from Anamika, bordering on spirituality, of an increasing mindset amongst a tribe of global fashion consumers, 'to do their own thing'. And the brand, through its merchandise, salutes this free spiritedness. The common goal for both partners is to build a brand that evokes strong desire; and the resultant power that AK-OK will have over its followers.”

Influencer favourite brand launches in India

ne of Europe's top 20 fastest growing companies, NA-KD, is one of the most popular brands among global fashion influencers. NA-KD embodies Scandinavian culture's key principles, which include inventiveness, clean design, and a strong regard for nature. NA-collections KD's are designed to be utilitarian as well as fashionable, resulting in high-quality clothing to invest in. The contemporary company delivers timeless wardrobe basics with a luxurious feel at accessible costs, mixing a clean and warm look with promises of environmentally conscientious manufacture. Nykaa Fashion continues to expand its selective offering by onboarding brands that are making waves around the world and are sought after for their elevated style. After celebrating homegrown talent through its vast curation of local labels. The multi-brand lifestyle e-commerce platform, continues to bring the best selection with the exclusive launch of NA-KD, Play, Slay, Everyday, or Vacation –the curated assortment from NA-offers KD's will take buyers from work and leisure to lounge and vacation in style. From the label's debut iteration, shoppers can find a variety of adaptable separates, dresses and jumpsuits, tailored coats and jackets, comfortable knits and loungewear, signature denim, and shoes. Speaking on the new launch, Adwaita Nayar, CEO Nykaa Fashion said, “Nykaa Fashion continues to grow and establish itself as a lifestyle destination that inspires customers to make elevated style choices. We have a keen focus

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on curating the best brands from international markets and extending our fashion assortment with key players like NA-KD is exciting. NA-KD’s fashion-forward approach and commitment to sustainability resonates with our consumers and makes it a great fit for Nykaa Fashion.” Sarah Krusell, VP Commercial & Brand, NA-KD said, “Working closely with brand ambassadors and content creators from all over the world, we strive to show the most updated styles, and at the same time, we strive to do it as sustainably as possible.” We are happy that Nykaa Fashion’s customers will now be able to take part in the NA-KD world. In a short time, NA-KD has grown to become a world leader in fashion and e-commerce, proof that customers appreciate our philosophy that clothing can be both affordable and on-trend. “

While AK-OK may not have the Bollywood glamour of Manish Malhotra, nor the doors and reach of Ritu Kumar, it does have a unique beautiful creative message. The fact that a corporate like Reliance has

A Mindful fashion label rooted in Craft Excellence

oonRay is a modern luxury brand rooted in craft and responsible fashion, selected for an ever-evolving community. It is an eclectic, free-spirited, mindful fashion line that speaks the language of art, innovation, and compassion in order to share joy and foster change. A Pret-a-Porter line of clothing, handcrafted vegan leather shoes and bags, and a limited edition of 22karat gold plated jewellery are all part of the collection. A chosen range of superbly handcrafted outfits that are bespoke Made to Order rounds out the offering. The brand is an expression that combines Avantika and Karishma Swali's love for design and craft with their passion for inclusiveness. It was founded in 2021. "We adore pushing limits to produce useful fashion for an ever-evolving community, letting love be our guiding light to develop ethically." “For us, the name MoonRay represents a feminine energy that is pure and powerful- one that is creative, compassionate, and connected,” says Karishma Swali- co-founder- MoonRay. The finest materials are sourced, with an eye to their environmental impact: organic cotton and GOTS certified jersey, "Forest Stewardship Council" certified viscose, indigo dyed denim, crochet crafted from recycled threads, a reclaim series crafted from industry waste fabrics, and accessories created with vegan and plant-based leather are just a

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invested into the brand, speaks of a coming of age of Indian fashion--that we are looking beyond brand, beyond glamour, beyond weddings. And there is no better note for the industry to end 2021 with.

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few of the key elements that went into the first collection. Each piece is meticulously crafted by a community of master artisans as well as female artisans who have graduated from The Chanakya School of Craft (Mumbai), all of whom contribute to it's ethos of cultural sustainability by preserving exemplary master crafts and supporting their innovation. Traditional craft forms including macrame, crochet, applique work, hand painting, and tie-dye have been incorporated into the designs to offer a unique contemporary aesthetic embracing artisan quality. “We are happy to share that 50 percent of our profits will always be invested in children's education and animal welfare through our registered not-for-profit organization, ACE, and many other inspiring not-for-profit organizations”, adds Karishma. Chanakya has been perfected over decades of worldwide luxury and couture-making experience, rapt attention to perfection, and quality excellence. In 2017, the company established the Chanakya School of Craft, a non-profit organisation dedicated to teaching women from underserved communities the art of hand embroidery through a comprehensive certificate programme. Since then, hundreds of women have been successfully educated, allowing them to pursue their own unique, independent future.

WHAT’S ON

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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WHAT’S ON

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Anjali Tatrari outlines her double Parineeti Chopra: Don't want to do a project for the wrong reasons role in 'Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na' Instagram

ere Bina Jiya Jaye Na' actress Anjali Tatrari opened up on playing a double role in the upcoming sequence of the show. In the upcoming episodes, Anjali will not only be seen as Krisha, but also as Maya. She elaborates in detail about their looks and the challenges in switching between

these two characters. Anjali shares: "The current track has kept me on my toes, especially with Devraj and Krisha's major conflict playing out. The upcoming track will also see the introduction of Maya, Devraj's first wife who looks exactly like Krisha. This gives me the opportunity to play a double role for the

first time and when the makers had narrated the script to me, this was one of the major deciding factors for me to do this show. The challenge of playing two characters was really exciting for me and I knew I had to take up this part." The show revolves around the story of Krisha Chaturvedi (played by Anjali Tatrari), who gets married to Prince Devraj (played by Avinesh Rekhi). After coming to Devraj's house, she came to know how he was earlier married to Maya, who looked exactly like Krisha. Though it is shown in the daily soap that Maya is no more, this revelation leaves Krisha doubtful of Devraj's love for her. She further adds on the challenges faced while playing a double role: "With Maya's track starting, we have been shooting back-to-back sequences where I am playing Krisha in one sequence and Maya in another. There are times when I have just finished an intense, crying sequence as Krisha and then, I have to get into the classy and chic avatar of Maya." "I love playing this variation of characters, where Krisha is a vulnerable character who will adjust in any situation, while Maya is a headstrong girl who will do what she feels like, be it in any situation. Their looks are also different. Krisha's look is very simple, while Maya's avatar is more modern. The hair and makeup are also so different. I must add that I am more like Krisha in terms of nature and Maya in terms of style and look. Having said that, I love both of my characters," she says. 'Tere Bina Jiya Jaye Na' airs on Zee TV.

'Fantastically made movie': Virat, Anushka heap praise on '83' Instagram

eam India captain Virat Kohli and his actress wife Anushka Sharma have heaped praise on the 1983 World Cup drama '83'.

Kohli tweeted: "Couldn't have relived the most iconic moment of Indian cricket history in a better manner. A fantastically made movie which

immerses you in the events and the emotion of the world cup in 1983. Splendid performances as well." The 1983 World Cup triumph arguably remains the greatest cricketing moment in the history of the nation. The Indian team led by Kapil Dev weren't even considered as one of the serious contenders, yet they stood up against extreme odds and delivered at the grandest stage of all. Anushka, too, shared positive feedback for the film and highlighted Ranveer Singh's stellar performance. She said: "A magical moment in India's sporting history brought to life so beautifully by the entire team of #83TheFilm. @kabirkhankk thank you for letting the newer generations relive this through your film and @RanveerOfficial, what can I say?" She added: "You are just superlative in the film. Not a single false note from you in any frame, just sheer brilliance on your part. Loved all performances equally! Well played team 83 @deepikapadukone @ RelianceEnt."

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ollywood actress Parineeti Chopra says she doesn't want to do a project for the wrong reasons and that she would want to be a part of work she believes in. In 2021, Parineeti had three back-toback releases such as 'The Girl On The Train', 'Saina' and 'Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar'. Talking about the kind of work she is looking forward to doing now, the actress in a chat with IANS said: "Just want to do the kind of work I believe in. I don't want to do a project for the wrong reasons." She added: "There are films that you do only for the hero that is attached, sometimes you do it for the song that you get or sometimes you do it because your days are free. There are so many wrong reasons… and I never want to do a film for the wrong reason." The 33-year-old actress says she always wants to "believe in a film, character and go with my gut." She added: "People have shown faith in me… Whether I am high or low… filmmakers have shown faith in me and they are the ones who have not given up on me and they are the ones who always gave me confidence. I have to make choices that live up to such expectations. And I never want to do a film for any other substandard reasons." Looking forward, Parineeti has several films lined up such as 'Animal' and 'Uunchai'.

Ashmit Patel: Every story I was or will be part of has class, not vulgarity

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ctor Ashmit Patel, who is known for his roles in movies likes 'Inteha', 'Murder', 'Nazar' and many more, reveals about his comfort zone while filming intimate scenes for his digital project. He says: "Before I agree for any intimate shoot, I understand the required scenes in the story. I make sure that it is integral to the script. I only agree to it after I complete reading the script and understanding the scene. At the same time, I also note how much my audience will be comfortable while watching me. I'm glad that till now I have always received positive feedback and I'm certain that every story I was or will be part of has class, not vulgarity." The actor, who has earlier appeared in series like 'Peshawar' and 'The Bull of Dalal Street', is enjoying exploring the digital platform. He adds: "OTT technology has immense potential. Video streaming services are on the rise globally, and for many talents, it has come as a new opportunity. As an actor I'm enjoying exploring the digital space and as an audience I'm also enjoying watching a few series. OTT in itself is a big medium with varieties of channels or platforms and each one has got something unique. Each channel has their own kind of viewers. And with every new show I get to connect with a new audience."

Ashmit is known for his participation in reality TV shows like 'Bigg Boss' (Season 4) and 'Power Couple'.

He also hosted the dating show 'Superdude'.

Palak Muchhal recreates Lata Mangeshkar's song for title track of 'Aggar Tum Na Hote' Vijay Sethupathi, Katrina Kaif to play lead '80s inger Palak Muchhal has

in Bollywood film 'Merry Christmas'

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ctor Vijay Sethupathi is to play the lead along with Katrina Kaif in upcoming thriller 'Merry Christmas' that is to be directed by www.indianabroad.news

Sriram Raghavan. Confirming the news, well known industry expert Taran

Adarsh tweeted, "It's official.. Sriram Raghavan directs Katrina Kaif - Vijay Sethupathi in 'Merry Christmas'. Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif essay principal roles in 'Merry Christmas'. Filming of this thriller - directed by Sriram Raghavan - has commenced in Mumbai." The film that is being produced by Ramesh Taurani and Sanjay Routray is scheduled to release on December 23, 2022 for the Christmas weekend. Sriram Raghavan is best known for directing the immensely successful 'Andhadhun' featuring Tabu, Ayushmann Khurana and Radhika Apte. Vijay Sethupathi, who has made a name for himself in the Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film industries, is already acting in another Hindi film called 'Mumbaikar', which interestingly is a remake of the Tamil superhit film 'Maanagaram'.

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recreated Lata Mangeshkar's famous '80s song 'Aggar Tum Na Hote' for the title track of the TV show with the same name. Palak reveals that she always wanted to pay a tribute to the original creation and this was a dream come true moment for her. "Agar Tum Na Hote is an iconic melody, originally sung by Lata ji, and composed by the great R.D. Burman. For me, to have actually recreated this song, was such an honour." "I have worked with Lalit ji before, but when he told me that we had to work on Aggar Tum Na Hote's title track, I was very excited yet nervous. It is a known fact that whenever you recreate something, you put yourself to some level of comparison; but for me, it was more like a tribute to the original creation," she adds. She shares: "I would like to congratulate the entire cast of 'Aggar Tum Na Hote' as the show has been well received and I would like to send my best wishes to them. I hope the audience pours their love and blessings to the whole team and our song. I also wish people don't compare

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the title track with the original song because that's definitely not my intention." 'Aggar Tum Na Hote' is a romantic drama that revolves around the love story of Niyati Mishra (essayed

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by Simaran Kaur), who is a young, hardworking nurse, and Abhimanyu Pandey (essayed by Himanshu Soni), who is a rich young man dealing with mental instability. It airs on Zee TV.

ENTERTAINMENT

Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

Priyanka Chopra: I couldn't have survived ED summons Aishwarya Rai had I listened to what everybody thought Bachchan in Panama Papers leak case Instagram

ver since her acting debut in 2003, Priyanka Chopra Jonas has proved herself in every work that has come her way. The global star says she performs better when under pressure but does not take the stress from other people's expectations. The former Miss World, who is currently creating waves internationally with her stellar performances, says she was always told that she wouldn't be able to do it. Proving everyone wrong, Priyanka, who is one of India's highest-paid and most popular entertainers, in a candid chat with IANS said: "I do

put pressure on myself. When I put pressure on myself I perform better, I take decisions and work well under pressure. But I don't take pressure from other people's expectations. "I never have because I would never be able to survive if I was listening to what everybody thought. I have always been told that 'Yeh thodi na kar payegi' and 'you won't be able to do it'. I have always heard that but I just keep walking forward and keep doing my work." The 39-year-old star garnered immense success with her power-packed performance in the 'Fashion' in 2008. Since then there

was no looking back for Priyanka. The actress swept the audiences off their feet with her work in films such as 'Mary Kom', '7 Khoon Maaf', 'Barfi!', 'Kaminey', 'Dil Dhadakne Do', 'Bajirao Mastani', 'The Sky Is Pink' and 'The White Tiger' to name a few. That's not all! In Hollywood, Priyanka earned global recognition with her work in the thriller series 'Quantico' and followed that a string of hits such as 'Baywatch', 'A Kid Like Jake', 'Isn't it Romantic','We Can Be Heroes' and now she awaits the release of the much talked about film 'The Matrix Resurrections'. How does she take her own game a notch higher? "I have said this from the beginning that I think that life is a journey, ambition is a journey. Everything is a ladder, you have to take one step forward and two steps back. So I always try… especially now in Hollywood I started from the beginning like about seven-eight years ago." Priyanka had her own share of struggles in Hollywood too. "I had to, as a new actor, introduce myself working towards being able to get roles like this and playing leading parts." Priyanka added: "It's taken a while because I think it is required to educate this side of the world that South Asian talents can be mainstream but I feel very proud to be able to do that now and I always as an artiste try to better myself in everything I do." The Jamshedpur-born actress, who celebrated her third marriage anniversary with her American pop star husband Nick Jonas, also talked about the challenges of shooting a film like 'The Matrix Resurrections' starring Keanu Reeves. Priyanka said: "It is a very difficult task to take on… We almost shot for seven-eight months and also we shot during Covid. So, that was difficult. Also, the scale of the movie. I think there was a lot of pressure on everyone." "But we have an amazing team, such an amazing technical team behind the movie that it was bound to be in great hands." Warner Bros Pictures is all set to release 'The Matrix Resurrections' pan-India on December 22 in Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu.

Shakun Batra's next with Deepika, Siddhant, Ananya to release digitally on Jan 25 Koimoi

ilmmaker Shakun Batra's upcoming movie has been christened 'Gehraiyaan'. Starring Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Ananya Panday, the film will release digitally on January 25. Batra, who is back in the director's chair after his super-hit 'Kapoor & Sons', said: "'Gehraiyaan' for me is a not just a movie. It is a journey into the intricacies of human relationships, it is a mirror into modern adult relationships, how we traverse through the maze of feelings and emotions and how each step, each decision we affect our lives and the lives of those around us." 'Gehraiyaan', which will be released on Amazon Prime Video, also stars Dhairya Karwa, Nasseruddin Shah and Rajat Kapur in pivotal roles. Jointly produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios in association with Batra's Jouska Films, the movie is a relationship

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he Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in connection with the Panama papers leak case for allegedly violating FEMA. A top ED official confirmed that she was summoned to join the probe by Monday. "We summoned her for December 20. As of now we haven't got any reply from her side. The summon was sent to her Mumbai residence," said an ED official. If she doesn't join the probe, the ED will think of further legal action. They might seek legal opinion from the experts to decide the future course of action, added the official. It isn't the first time that the actor has been summoned in the case. She was summoned earlier on two occasions. However, she didn't join the probe. Earlier on November 9, Aishwarya was summoned to record her testimony in the case. The ED had lodged a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) after the Panama Papers showed how companies were set up in offshore islands to avoid taxes. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and others are named in the case.

Rajamouli was impressed with Alia's performance in 'Raazi', cast her in 'RRR' A

ce director S.S. Rajamouli, who is known for casting his artistes wisely, says he was thoroughly impressed with Alia Bhatt's performance in 'Raazi' and that is what made him pick her for the important role of Sita in his upcoming pan-Indian film 'RRR'. Talking to IANS, Rajamouli said, "I have two superforces in the film -- fire and water -- Ram and Bheem, who are very strong and who are exclusive in nature. For me, the character of Sita is very soft, very fragile on the outside. But inside, she is so strong that she would be able to rein in these forces. "I saw 'Raazi' and I was impressed with her (Alia's) performance. I was impressed by how a simple woman could do things much beyond her capacity. So, when we figured out the characterisation of Sita, everybody's choice was Alia. "I knew Alia was interested in doing a role in my film but I did not know if she would be interested in playing a cameo. But when we asked her, she immediately jumped in joy without any hesitation," he said.

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drama that dives into the depths of complex modern relationships, adulting, letting go and taking control of ones' life path. Producer Karan Johar said: "'Gehraiyaan' is an intense, real, and honest observation of modern relationships, and Shakun has done a phenomenal job of portraying the

complexities of human emotions." Manish Menghani, head of content licensing for Amazon Prime Video, added: "It is a truly special story, masterfully woven by Shakun Batra, who once again showcases his ability to portray complex human emotions."

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Vol 1, Issue 22 Jan 1-15, 2022

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